The role of errors in education must be re-examined to allow teachers to exploit fully the educational potential of the error. Student errors have been used as tools to study the learning process and to plan teaching materials. A new metaphor for error making, that of "getting lost," can help uncover some limitations in the current educational use of errors. Developing this metaphor in a generative spirit shows the importance of the context in which the error occurs. Under some conditions "getting lost" can be enjoyable. Errors can both motivate and guide students in intellectual explorations. Tables summarize possible reactions to "getting lost." General strategies undertaken in response to an error or "getting lost" include: (1) asking someone for help; (2) making use of tools and resources; (3) reflecting on the situation; and (4) exploring. (SLD)