5 Effective Strategies for Checking for Understanding in the Classroom
As an educator, assessing student learning and ensuring understanding is crucial. However, traditional means of assessment, such as quizzes and tests, do not provide real-time feedback on student comprehension. Thus, incorporating strategies for checking understanding into your lessons can help you determine whether students have understood the material or not. In this post, we will discuss five effective strategies for checking for understanding in the classroom.
1. Exit Slips
One of the easiest ways to check for understanding is the use of exit slips. Exit slips are short, informal assessments that allow students to demonstrate their comprehension of the material. Ideally, exit slips should be completed in five minutes or less, and they can be given at the end of a lesson or class period. Teachers can design questions that align with the learning objectives, and students can answer them on a sheet of paper before leaving the classroom.
2. Pair-Share
Pair-share is another effective strategy that encourages collaboration and communication among students. Teachers can assign a question related to the learning objective, and students can pair up and discuss their responses. This strategy is useful in promoting critical thinking and allows students to learn from their peers. After the pair-share, the teacher can ask students to share their responses with the class.
3. Whiteboard Activities
Whiteboard activities offer an interactive way to check for student understanding. Teachers can divide students into groups and assign each group a whiteboard. The teacher can then ask a question related to the lesson, and each group can write an answer on their respective whiteboards. This strategy allows for immediate feedback, as the teacher can quickly scan the responses and address any misconceptions.
4. Think-Pair-Share-Draw
This strategy is an expanded version of pair-share that includes a drawing component. After students pair up and discuss their responses to a question, they can draw a picture or diagram that represents their understanding of the material. This strategy is useful for visual learners and allows students to demonstrate their comprehension in a creative way.
5. Three-Two-One
Three-two-one is a reflective strategy that encourages students to summarize their learning. At the end of a lesson or class period, teachers can ask students to write down three things they learned, two things they found interesting, and one question they still have. This strategy allows students to reflect on their learning and helps the teacher determine areas where further clarification may be needed.
In conclusion, incorporating strategies for checking understanding into your lessons is essential in promoting student learning. By using exit slips, pair-share, whiteboard activities, think-pair-share-draw, and three-two-one, teachers can assess student comprehension in real-time and adjust their lessons accordingly. Using these strategies will not only provide live feedback to the teacher but will also encourage collaboration and critical thinking among students.
