Check for
Understanding is a strategy that allows the teacher to quickly assess the students’
levels of understanding and immediately address the outcome. The strategy is
divided into two main parts: Gathering Data and Responding to Data.
Gathering Data
When gathering data, it is suggested that the teacher ask one or more questions as a quick assessment, and use the answers as data about classroom understanding. The strategy also involves four components that are geared towards making the data a more appropriate representation of comprehension.
1) The first is a focus on data sets – making sure the teacher asks enough questions to gather data that represents a series of topics and levels of understanding.
2) The next is a look at statistical sampling – making sure to select a varied group of students that the teacher knows consistently perform at different levels.
3) The third covers the topic of reliability – asking enough questions and enough “Why?” questions to make sure that the response is representative of the knowledge.
4) The final is the always-present topic in education of validity – making sure that the questions test what needed to be learned.
After viewing the four components of well-rounded data collection, it is clear that one of the most crucial aspects of this strategy is the types of questions. Another crucial aspect of the strategy is non-verbal checks, completed through observations of class work.
1) The first is a focus on data sets – making sure the teacher asks enough questions to gather data that represents a series of topics and levels of understanding.
2) The next is a look at statistical sampling – making sure to select a varied group of students that the teacher knows consistently perform at different levels.
3) The third covers the topic of reliability – asking enough questions and enough “Why?” questions to make sure that the response is representative of the knowledge.
4) The final is the always-present topic in education of validity – making sure that the questions test what needed to be learned.
After viewing the four components of well-rounded data collection, it is clear that one of the most crucial aspects of this strategy is the types of questions. Another crucial aspect of the strategy is non-verbal checks, completed through observations of class work.
Responding to Data
The second half of the strategy is to respond to the data collected. The key to this part is the timeliness of the reaction. It is crucial to take the data and respond almost immediately, in order to clear up confusion and provide a strong basis to build upon. The final step of the strategy is to approach the material again if necessary, possibly choosing a different method in order to reach more students.