Quiz Corrections: Improving Learning by Encouraging Students to Reflect on Their Mistakes

Most introductory physics instructors administer several quizzes and/or exams each term. Instructors are willing to invest the significant time it takes to develop, administer, and grade these assessments because they believe that regular assessments help students learn. However, instructors also believe that students do not make full use of the learning potential of these assessments. For example, in an interview study, six college physics instructors were asked how they expect their students to utilize an instructor solution after a test. All said they expect students to compare the instructor solution with their own and learn from any mistakes made. However, the instructors all thought that most students do not do this sort of comparison and only look at solutions superficially, if at all.¹