

Manu Kapur
Director of the Singapore-ETH Center and Professor for Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich. Expert in productive failure and its application to learning.
Top 5 podcasts with Manu Kapur
Ranked by the Snipd community

140 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 2min
Let's Normalize Failure (The Right Kind) | Manu Kapur
Manu Kapur, an expert in learning sciences and the concept of productive failure, dives into how embracing failure can lead to deeper learning. He discusses the difference between beneficial and harmful failures, the neuroscience behind curiosity, and practical strategies to normalize failure. Kapur highlights the significance of psychological safety and a growth mindset, emphasizing that creating a supportive environment can help individuals thrive. Get ready to redefine your relationship with failure and see it as a stepping stone to success!

41 snips
Nov 18, 2024 • 42min
1012: Triple Your Learning through Productive Failure with Dr. Manu Kapur
Dr. Manu Kapur, a world-renowned learning expert at ETH Zurich, discusses how designing for failure can enhance learning. He shares insights on why avoiding initial explanations fosters deeper understanding and the importance of engaging with challenging tasks. Kapur explains the four A's of productive failure: Activation, Awareness, Affect, and Assembly, and how they drive motivation. He also highlights the benefits of unstructured play in education, emphasizing that embracing failure is vital for personal growth and effective learning.

Sep 18, 2025 • 29min
Manu Kapur: The Science of Productive Failure & The Four A's of Learning
Manu Kapur, a learning scientist and author of *Productive Failure*, joins to discuss how failure can drive deeper learning. He unveils the Basic Knowledge Fallacy and debates direct instruction versus discovery learning. The conversation highlights the Four A’s of Learning: Activation, Awareness, Affect, and Assembly. Manu emphasizes the benefits of variability and struggle in learning, revealing how pretesting and embracing difficulties can enhance adaptability and retention. This engaging dialogue transforms perspectives on teaching and learning.

Oct 2, 2024 • 18min
Productive Failure
In this engaging discussion, learning scientist Manu Kapur explores how designing for failure can actually enhance learning. He argues that failure shouldn't just be endured but actively embraced as a vital component of growth. By highlighting the importance of recognizing knowledge gaps exposed by failure, he reveals how this awareness fosters deeper learning. Todd shares his personal journey of transforming failure into motivation while learning to run again, showcasing the power of incremental progress. Together, they redefine failure as a tool for resilience and success.

Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Power of Productive Failure with Manu Kapur (Part 3 Finale)
Manu Kapur, a prominent researcher and author of 'Productive Failure,' dives deep into how struggling with tasks can enhance learning. He reveals the Zeigarnik Effect's role in boosting memory through unfinished tasks. Kapur discusses the power of loss aversion and goal gradients to drive motivation and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity in children, breaking down goals into manageable steps, and combating imposter syndrome. With practical strategies, he redefines failure as a crucial tool for personal and educational growth.


