Why Use Test Corrections in Your Physics Class?
I am a huge fan of test corrections in my classroom. They encourage student mastery of the material, help students reflect on their mistakes in physics, and provide a basis for students to set goals.
Identify Mistakes While Using Test Corrections
Often, when students say, ‘I didn’t understand this topic,’ or, ‘I am not a physics person,’ they are unaware of what parts of a unit they do not understand. Having students identify the types of mistakes they are making will help avoid student shut-down and encourage kids to see mistakes as learning opportunities. Here are some common mistakes in my physics class:
Math Mistakes - Are students simplifying making math mistakes and confusing it for not knowing physics? If so, are they making arithmetic mistakes, algebra mistakes, or trigonometry mistakes? Identifying these errors can help students see the purpose behind my ‘Friday Monday Warm-Ups.’
Careless Mistakes - Are students reading the problem incorrectly, copying down the wrong information, or forgetting a step? Identifying this will help students see the need to slow down during a test and go back through a test with extra time.
Units & Negative Signs - Are students forgetting to include these? Having students identify this as the source of lost points is WAY more effective than you telling them to remember it.
Conceptual Misunderstanding - Perhaps more than other subjects, students come to physics class with very deep misconceptions. Even after a lecture, notes, demo, and lab, we have all had students who still think a bowling ball will accelerate faster than a feather when dropped in a vacuum. Having students identify their misconceptions helps encourage them to challenge those ideas.
Applying the Wrong Formula - I once heard a student say, ‘Physics is easy, you just need to plug it into the formulas.’ Is there anything more heartbreaking to hear as a physics teacher? When a student applies a uniform motion equation to an accelerated motion scenario, they have some deep conceptual misunderstandings. By having students identify this, they will avoid oversimplifying physics class to a plug-and-chug exercise.
Calculator Mistakes - So many students believe calculators will solve all their problems. However, I have seen TI -Inspires create way more problems than they solve for students. Having students see their calculator as the cause of their problems encourages them to spend some time practicing and learning how to use it.
Modeling Physics Test Corrections
Modeling how to use test corrections is the single most important part of the process. Our students have super busy lives, and out of pure survival will often try to complete tasks with the least amount of work possible. Unless you clearly explain and model what you want from a test correction….you will not get it.
Model Test Corrections Using a Fake Test
My favorite way to model test corrections is to create a ‘'Fake Student Test’ ’that we all correct together. I will often complete 5-10 questions on a test with common mistakes students made. Then, I have students correct the test in groups of four. Afterwards, we discuss how this student could better prepare for physics tests in the future. I grade this activity as a regular assignment and then give students their own test back to correct for homework (make sure all students have taken the test).
Float Around During Test Corrections
I like to float around the room and ask students to explain how to solve one question to me. This is a great way to see where students are and build on what they have learned. Since students see I am busy with their classmates, they will often avoid asking me questions they can solve on their own. I am all about avoiding learned helplessness!
Voting on Questions the Teacher Explains
While students are correcting their test, I like to set up a graph on the whiteboard for students to vote on three questions they want me to explain to the class. This avoids me having to explain every question, encourages students to find their own mistakes, and makes students think critically about their learning.
Grading Test Corrections and Test Rest Retakes
How you grade test corrections and if you ofer test retakes usually depends on department, school, or district rules. I personally haven't had a lot of freedom in my own class to decide how these go in the gradebook. Here are some thoughts:
Test Retakes - I haven't found test retakes very effective in my physics classroom because I don’t have the time to make them effective. I usually ended up re-printing the same test with different numbers. This did not encourage mastery of the physics concepts, but did create a lot of extra work and stress for both students and teachers.
Giving Points Back - My biggest problem with this strategy is that a student's grade will not truly reflect mastery. However, this is an easy and effective method that creates an incentive for student to learn.. I have used it before and will probably use it again depending on the needs of the particular group of students and my workload that year.
Corrections as a Separate Grade - This is my favorite strategy because it creates an incentive for students to thoughtfully complete the test corrections, but it’s not overly time-consuming for the student or teacher. I am still searching for a magically way to help all students master all the material in the time frame we are given. Let me know if you find it, ok?
I hope this gave you some ideas on how to use test corrections with your physics students! Let me know your thoughts on test corrections and how you use them below.
You can check out my Physics Test Correction Form & Test Reflection on my TpT Store here.
