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

In spite of using active-engagement techniques in our classes, big percentage of students can not answer straightforward questions of the type we have covered in class and assigned as homework.We believe that students lack one of the essential components of meaningful learning: self-reflection.How do we engage students in a meaningful self-reflection and measure its implications?We hypothesize that we can achieve that by having students reflect on their homework solutions and doing self-corrections.Incorporation of a state-of-the-art software platform such as ePortfolio can greatly facilitate the task, as well as create new lifelong learning skills.We have conducted an experimental-control group design study in a conceptual physics course at Queensborough Community College (QCC) to measure the impact of such reflective activities on students.We present the results of the study and discuss its implications.