Teaching Physics for Every Learner

Mistake spotting is a powerful way to build understanding. Instead of only showing pupils the correct answer, show them a common wrong answer and ask them to improve it.

For example:

“Current gets used up in a circuit.”

Pupils can then think carefully about what is wrong, what the correct idea should be, and how to rewrite it for marks. A better answer might explain that current is not used up; it is the same around a series circuit, while energy is transferred by the components.

This works well because it tackles misconceptions directly. It helps pupils see the difference between everyday thinking and scientific thinking. It also improves their written explanations, because they learn not just what the answer is, but why it is correct.