Motivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics courses

Despite the recognition that reflection is an essential part of problem solving, it is often not emphasized in upper-division physics courses. In this paper, we discuss homework corrections (HWCs) as a pedagogical tool to motivate reflection on homework assignments. We focus on gaining a qualitative...

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Main Authors: Molly Griston, Bethany R. Wilcox
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-07-01
Series:Physical Review Physics Education Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/ntvp-spkc
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author Molly Griston
Bethany R. Wilcox
author_facet Molly Griston
Bethany R. Wilcox
author_sort Molly Griston
collection DOAJ
description Despite the recognition that reflection is an essential part of problem solving, it is often not emphasized in upper-division physics courses. In this paper, we discuss homework corrections (HWCs) as a pedagogical tool to motivate reflection on homework assignments. We focus on gaining a qualitative understanding of how students may engage with the process of homework corrections, considering potential impacts on content understanding, metacognitive skills, and affect. To do so, we present three comparative case studies to elucidate different aspects of student engagement with HWCs; we also present descriptive statistics of participation in HWCs. We find that HWCs can be a useful pedagogical tool, but more scaffolding may be necessary to support students in identifying and learning from their mistakes, even in upper-division courses.
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spelling doaj-art-5ab2b4b056e44a8bbb025c48365993ca2025-08-20T03:09:32ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Physics Education Research2469-98962025-07-0121202011310.1103/ntvp-spkcMotivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics coursesMolly GristonBethany R. WilcoxDespite the recognition that reflection is an essential part of problem solving, it is often not emphasized in upper-division physics courses. In this paper, we discuss homework corrections (HWCs) as a pedagogical tool to motivate reflection on homework assignments. We focus on gaining a qualitative understanding of how students may engage with the process of homework corrections, considering potential impacts on content understanding, metacognitive skills, and affect. To do so, we present three comparative case studies to elucidate different aspects of student engagement with HWCs; we also present descriptive statistics of participation in HWCs. We find that HWCs can be a useful pedagogical tool, but more scaffolding may be necessary to support students in identifying and learning from their mistakes, even in upper-division courses.http://doi.org/10.1103/ntvp-spkc
spellingShingle Molly Griston
Bethany R. Wilcox
Motivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics courses
Physical Review Physics Education Research
title Motivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics courses
title_full Motivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics courses
title_fullStr Motivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics courses
title_full_unstemmed Motivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics courses
title_short Motivating reflection in problem solving: Homework corrections in upper-division physics courses
title_sort motivating reflection in problem solving homework corrections in upper division physics courses
url http://doi.org/10.1103/ntvp-spkc
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AT bethanyrwilcox motivatingreflectioninproblemsolvinghomeworkcorrectionsinupperdivisionphysicscourses