Effective teaching requires educators to have the ability to utilize formative assessment techniques, and checking for understanding questions are a critical part of this process, especially within the context of the edTPA assessment, and also educators must distinguish between questions that genuinely assess comprehension and those that merely solicit simple recall or agreement; and thus, it’s important for candidates to demonstrate their understanding of this distinction through careful lesson planning.
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What’s the Big Deal with Checking for Understanding?
Okay, let’s get real for a sec. Imagine you’re teaching a lesson, pouring your heart and soul into explaining a complex concept. But how do you really know if your students are following along or just nodding politely while their minds are miles away? That’s where “Checking for Understanding” comes in. It’s not just a teaching buzzword; it’s a critical skill that separates good teachers from great ones.
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Why edTPA Cares (and Why You Should Too!)
Now, enter the edTPA, the performance-based assessment that many teacher candidates face. It’s designed to evaluate your teaching abilities, and guess what? “Checking for Understanding” is a major component. Think of it as the edTPA’s way of saying, “Show us you can actually teach these kids, not just talk at them.”
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Rubric 14: The Assessment Deep Dive
Specifically, pay close attention to Rubric 14, which focuses on Assessment. This rubric zeros in on how well you use formative and summative assessments to monitor student learning and adjust your instruction accordingly. “Checking for Understanding” is a key part of this, so mastering this skill is essential for acing the edTPA.
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This Blog Post: Your Survival Guide
So, what’s this blog post all about? Well, think of it as your friendly guide to navigating the world of “Checking for Understanding” in the edTPA. We’ll break down what it is, why it matters, and how to nail it in your video evidence and written commentaries. We’re diving into formative assessments, questioning techniques, assessment tools, evidence of student learning, and how to use feedback effectively. Consider this your go-to resource for mastering this essential teaching skill and rocking your edTPA!
Formative Assessment: The Foundation of Checking for Understanding
Okay, let’s dive into formative assessment, which is basically your secret weapon for knowing what’s really going on in your students’ heads before the big test. Think of it as a super-powered radar that helps you navigate the tricky waters of teaching! It’s not about grades; it’s about growth. So, what is formative assessment really and how does that differentiate from summative assessment?
Forget high-stakes tests that make everyone sweat. Formative assessment is the chill cousin of assessment, focusing on the journey rather than just the destination. It’s about understanding where your students are right now and what steps you need to take to get them where they need to be. It’s a process that helps monitor student learning and allows teachers to change instruction accordingly. Unlike summative assessments, like final exams or big projects, which are like a final verdict on learning, formative assessments are all about the in-progress check. A summative assessment will evaluate what your students have learned at the end of the lesson.
Ways to Put Formative Assessments to Work
So, how do you actually use this magical tool? It’s easier than you think! Here are a few effective methods:
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Questioning Techniques: Think of yourself as a friendly detective, asking the right questions to uncover hidden knowledge. Open-ended questions, probing questions, and clarifying questions are your best clues! More on this later!
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Quick Checks for Understanding: These are your instant feedback tools. A simple thumbs up/thumbs down, a quick show of fingers to indicate understanding on a scale of 1 to 5, or even colored cards can give you a snapshot of the whole class in seconds.
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Short Quizzes or Polls: Keep them short, sweet, and low-stakes. Online polling tools like Mentimeter or Kahoot! can turn these into fun, engaging activities that give you instant data.
Using Formative Assessment to Inform Instructional Decisions
The real power of formative assessment is in what you do with the information. If you see that half the class is struggling with a concept, it’s time to rethink your approach. Maybe you need to explain it differently, provide more examples, or break it down into smaller steps. Think of it as a course correction—using the data to steer your students towards success. Formative assessment isn’t just about checking for understanding; it’s about using that understanding to shape your teaching and help your students learn better.
Questioning Techniques: Probing for Deeper Comprehension
Alright, let’s talk about asking questions—because it’s not just about filling the silence, right? It’s about unlocking those little treasure chests of knowledge inside our students’ minds! Effective questioning is like being a detective, except instead of solving crimes, you’re uncovering understanding (or a lack thereof!).
The Art of the Ask: Why Bother with Better Questions?
Think of it this way: bland questions get bland answers. Yawn! But well-crafted questions? They can spark discussions, reveal misconceptions, and push students to think critically. It’s the difference between “Do you understand?” (which usually gets a chorus of polite nods, regardless of actual comprehension) and “Explain how this concept relates to a real-world example.” (now we’re cooking with gas!).
Diving into Different Question Types
Let’s explore the toolbox:
- Open-Ended Questions: These are your “tell me more” questions. They require more than a simple “yes” or “no” and encourage students to elaborate. Think, “What are some potential solutions to this problem?”
- Probing Questions: These are your “dig a little deeper” questions. They follow up on initial responses to encourage students to clarify their thinking or provide more evidence. “Can you explain why you chose that particular strategy?” or “What evidence supports your claim?”
- Clarifying Questions: These are your “help me understand your perspective” questions. If a student’s answer is vague or confusing, ask them to rephrase or provide an example. “Can you explain that in a different way?”
Strategies for Sparking Student Participation
Okay, you’ve got your questions ready, but how do you get students excited to answer them? Here are some engagement boosters:
- Think-Pair-Share: The oldie, but goodie! Give students a question, have them think about it individually, then discuss with a partner before sharing with the whole class. It’s a low-pressure way to get everyone involved.
- Wait Time: This one’s simple but powerful. Wait Time I is the pause after you ask a question. Let students actually process! Wait Time II is the pause after a student answers. Give them (and the class) a moment to build on that response. It can feel like forever, but trust me, it’s worth it.
- Cold Call: Some teachers fear this one, but when done right, it keeps everyone on their toes (in a good way!). Randomly select a student to answer a question, regardless of whether they’ve raised their hand. Use it sparingly and with sensitivity, making sure the questions aren’t too difficult or intimidating. It encourages active listening, and it’s not supposed to be punitive.
Framing for Fantastic Responses
The way you ask a question is almost as important as the question itself. For example, instead of asking “Is this clear?”, try asking “What’s still confusing about this topic?”. It’s all about creating an environment where students feel safe to take risks and share their thinking, even if it’s not fully formed. Ask questions that are specific, relevant, and challenging (but not too challenging!). Your goal is to encourage the students to think critically and learn something new.
Quick Assessment Tools: Your Secret Weapon for On-the-Fly Understanding Checks
Ever feel like you’re talking to a brick wall? Or maybe you think everyone’s following along, but then the quiz results come back, and it’s a battlefield of confusion? That’s where quick assessment tools come in! Think of them as your superhero sidekick, swooping in to save the day (and your lesson plan) by giving you real-time insights into what’s sticking and what’s slipping. No more guessing games – just straight-up data to inform your next move. These aren’t your big, scary, graded tests. Instead, they are fast, easy ways to take the pulse of your classroom and adjust your teaching in the moment.
Tool #1: Quick Writes/Journals – Unleash the Power of the Pen (or Keyboard!)
Quick writes are like mini-essays, but without the pressure. Give your students a prompt related to the key concept you’re teaching and have them jot down their thoughts for a few minutes. This could be a simple question like, “What’s the most important thing you learned today?” or “Explain [concept] in your own words.” The beauty of quick writes is that they force students to process information actively. Plus, skimming through their responses will give you a goldmine of information about their level of understanding. Are they hitting the main points? Are there any common misconceptions popping up? Use this info to tailor your next explanation or activity.
Tool #2: Exit Tickets – The Golden Ticket to Feedback
Imagine Willy Wonka, but instead of chocolate factories, you’re running a classroom of eager learners. Exit tickets are your golden tickets, and they’re handed in at the end of the lesson. Keep it short and sweet – maybe a couple of questions, a quick self-assessment (“I totally get it,” “I’m a little confused,” “Help!”), or even just a space for them to write down one thing they learned. This gives you a snapshot of what resonated with students, and more importantly, what didn’t. Use the exit ticket data to kick off the next lesson, addressing any lingering questions or re-teaching concepts that didn’t quite land.
Tool #3: Observations – Become a Master Observer (No Lab Coat Required!)
Don’t underestimate the power of simply watching your students! Walk around the classroom, listen to their conversations during group work, and pay attention to their body language. Are they engaged and asking questions? Or are they zoning out and doodling elaborate drawings of unicorns? Observation is an art, but it’s a skill that gets easier with practice. Look for clues about their understanding, like the way they explain concepts to each other or the types of questions they ask. Jot down notes (discreetly, of course!) and use these observations to guide your instruction. Do you need to spend more time with a particular group? Do you need to find a different way to explain a tricky concept? Your observations will tell you!
Implementing These Tools Like a Pro
Okay, so you’ve got your tools – now how do you use them effectively? The key is to make these assessments low-stakes and non-threatening. Let your students know that these are for you to understand where they are and to adjust your teaching accordingly. Normalize confusion. Make it okay to say, “I don’t get it!” Also, be consistent. Incorporate these tools into your regular routine, so they become a natural part of the learning process. Finally, actually use the data you collect! There’s no point in gathering all this information if it just sits in a pile on your desk. Review the results, identify patterns, and use them to inform your instructional decisions. By embracing these quick assessment tools, you’ll transform your classroom into a dynamic learning environment where everyone feels supported and understood.
Unlocking the Secrets: Spotting and Understanding Evidence of Student Learning
Ever feel like you’re playing detective in your classroom? Well, in a way, you are! A huge part of teaching is becoming a master at identifying and understanding the clues your students leave behind – the evidence of their learning. It’s like following breadcrumbs to see if they’re truly getting what you’re throwing down. But why bother becoming Sherlock Holmes of the classroom, you ask?
It’s simple: by actively seeking and interpreting this evidence, you’re not just going through the motions. You’re actually tailoring your teaching to meet their needs. Forget generic lesson plans; this is about becoming a responsive, adaptive instructor who knows exactly where their students are at any given moment.
Now, let’s dive into how you can sharpen your detective skills and make sense of the student-learning landscape.
Finding the Clues: Where to Look for Evidence
So, where do you even begin your search for these learning breadcrumbs? Everywhere! Think of your classroom as one giant source of data, overflowing with potential insights. Here are some key areas to keep a close eye on:
- Student Responses to Questions: Pay attention not only to the correctness of answers but also to how students arrive at them. Are they grasping the underlying concepts, or are they just guessing? Look for the reasoning behind their answers.
- Student Work Samples: Homework, classwork, projects – these are goldmines! Go beyond simply grading for right or wrong answers. Analyze the strategies students use, the errors they make, and the overall quality of their work.
- Student Participation in Discussions: Are students actively engaging with the material? Are they asking thoughtful questions? Are they building on each other’s ideas? Their level and quality of participation speak volumes about their understanding. Don’t just look for who’s talking, but what they’re saying.
Collecting and Interpreting Data: From Clues to Action
Okay, you’ve gathered your evidence. Now what? It’s time to put on your data analyst hat and start making sense of it all.
- Look for Patterns: Are there common misconceptions that keep popping up? Are certain students consistently struggling with a specific concept? Identifying these patterns will help you target your instruction more effectively.
- Analyze Strengths and Weaknesses: What are your students doing well? Where are they falling short? Use this information to differentiate your instruction and provide targeted support where it’s needed most.
- Use Data to Inform Your Teaching: Don’t just collect data for the sake of collecting data. Use it to make informed decisions about your teaching. Adjust your lesson plans, modify your activities, and provide extra support as needed.
Cracking the Code: Understanding Assessment Commentary in edTPA
Now, let’s talk about edTPA. A crucial part of the edTPA is your ability to analyze assessment commentary. This is where you demonstrate your understanding of student learning by reflecting on your assessment practices.
- Interpreting Student Learning: Your analysis should show a deep understanding of what students learned (or didn’t learn) and why. What evidence supports your claims?
- Connecting Assessment to Instruction: Show how your assessment data informed your instructional decisions. How did you use what you learned about your students’ understanding to adjust your teaching?
- Demonstrating Reflection: Your assessment commentary should be reflective not just descriptive. Show that you can critically analyze your teaching practices and identify areas for improvement.
By mastering the art of identifying, gathering, and interpreting evidence of student learning, you’ll not only ace the edTPA but also become a more effective, responsive, and impactful teacher. So, go forth, teachers, and let the hunt for learning breadcrumbs begin!
The Power of Feedback: Guiding Student Growth Through Targeted Support
Alright, picture this: you’re a student, you’ve just turned in an assignment, and you’re waiting with bated breath to see how you did. What happens next can either boost you sky-high or leave you deflated. That’s where the magic of feedback comes in! We’re not just talking about a grade here; we’re diving deep into the heart of meaningful feedback and how it fuels student growth, especially within the context of edTPA.
Why Meaningful Feedback Matters
Let’s be real; students need more than just a pat on the back (although those are nice too!). Meaningful feedback helps students understand where they stand and what steps they can take to improve. Think of it as a roadmap, not a final verdict. It pinpoints what they’re doing well and, more importantly, provides insights into areas that need a little extra love and attention. It’s about creating a dialogue, not just a monologue from the teacher.
The Hallmarks of Effective Feedback:
So, what does effective feedback actually look like? It’s not just scribbling “good job” on a paper; it’s much more nuanced than that. Here are a few key characteristics:
- Timely: Strike while the iron is hot! Feedback is most impactful when it’s delivered as soon as possible after the assessment. The sooner students receive feedback, the better they can connect it to their efforts and understanding.
- Specific: Ditch the vague comments and get down to the nitty-gritty. Effective feedback focuses on specific aspects of the student’s work. Instead of saying “Your essay was good,” try “Your thesis statement was clear and concise, and your supporting arguments were well-developed.”
- Actionable: Give students something to work with. Actionable feedback provides concrete suggestions for improvement. Instead of saying “You need more evidence,” try “Consider adding specific examples from the text to support your claims.”
Feedback as a Growth Catalyst
Feedback isn’t just about correcting mistakes; it’s about fostering growth. When students receive thoughtful feedback, they become more aware of their strengths and weaknesses, they develop a growth mindset. This can lead to increased motivation, engagement, and ultimately, better learning outcomes. It turns them into active participants in their own learning journey.
Using Assessment Data to Inform Differentiation and Scaffolding
Here’s where things get really interesting. Assessment data is a goldmine of information that can be used to tailor instruction to meet the unique needs of individual students. By analyzing assessment results, teachers can identify common misconceptions, learning gaps, and areas where students may need additional support. This, in turn, informs differentiation (modifying instruction to meet individual needs) and scaffolding (providing temporary support to help students succeed) strategies. In summary, that student need to know from your assessment to help your students to improve and to do their best.
Aligning with Learning Objectives: The Secret Sauce to Meaningful “Checking for Understanding”
Alright, let’s talk about making sure everything in your lesson is singing from the same hymn sheet, shall we? We’re diving into why lining up your instruction with those all-important learning objectives or targets is, like, super crucial. Think of your learning objectives as the GPS coordinates for your lesson’s destination. If your activities and how you’re assessing the kiddos are wildly off course, you’re basically driving around in circles – fun for a Sunday afternoon, maybe not so much in the classroom.
Why Bother Aligning Anything Anyway?
Picture this: you’re teaching about the American Revolution (go, history nerds!), and your objective is for students to analyze the key causes. But, you spend the entire lesson having them just memorize dates and names. Then, you quiz them on…you guessed it, dates and names! Are they analyzing anything? Nope! They’re just regurgitating facts. That’s what happens when alignment goes rogue. When everything’s aligned, you’re not just teaching stuff; you’re guiding students to actually learn what you intend them to learn, and that’s the magic.
Making Sure the Pieces Fit: A How-To Guide
So, how do you make sure your activities and assessments are BFFs with your objectives? It’s all about asking yourself some key questions when you’re planning:
- Does this activity actually help students achieve the objective? If your objective is about writing killer thesis statements, does that worksheet on identifying nouns really contribute? Probably not.
- Does my assessment measure what I’m actually teaching? If you’re teaching persuasive writing but only assess grammar, you’re missing the whole point.
- Am I explicitly connecting activities and assessments back to the objective? It’s not enough for you to know it; the students need to know it too! Say things like, “Remember, our objective is to analyze… so as you read this, think about…”
Objectives as Your “Checking for Understanding” Compass
Here’s where things get really cool. Your objectives can guide your “Checking for Understanding” like a compass points north. If your objective is for students to be able to explain the water cycle, your quick check-ins should be directly related to that. Instead of just asking, “Did you like the video?” (yawn), ask, “Based on the video, what happens during the evaporation stage?” See the difference? By constantly tying your checks back to the objective, you’re not just seeing if they’re paying attention; you’re seeing if they’re actually getting it.
Real-World Examples to the Rescue
Okay, let’s get practical.
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Objective: Students will be able to compare and contrast the themes in two poems.
- Activity: A Venn diagram activity where students identify and categorize themes.
- Assessment: An exit ticket asking students to write one sentence comparing a theme in both poems.
- “Checking for Understanding”: Thumbs up/down when you ask, “Are both poems exploring similar themes, or totally different ones?”
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Objective: Students will be able to solve multi-step word problems involving fractions.
- Activity: Group work where students solve practice problems together.
- Assessment: A short quiz with similar word problems.
- “Checking for Understanding”: Cold Call on a student to describe the first step in solving a problem.
The point is, everything’s connected. When your instruction, assessments, and objectives are all in sync, checking for understanding becomes way more meaningful—and way more effective. It’s not just about seeing if they’re awake; it’s about seeing if they’re learning. And that, my friends, is what it’s all about.
Demonstrating Competence in edTPA: Video Evidence and Written Components
Alright, future teachers! Let’s tackle the edTPA beast, specifically how to show off your amazing “Checking for Understanding” skills in your video and those ever-important commentaries. Think of it as your chance to shine and prove you’re not just winging it (even if you feel like you are!).
Capturing the Magic: Video Evidence of Checking for Understanding
The video is your stage! You need to capture those golden moments where you’re actively checking if your students are “getting it.” This isn’t just about asking “Does everyone understand?” (Spoiler alert: they’ll always nod, even if they’re totally lost). Think about it: you’re aiming for segments where you’re using those awesome questioning techniques, circulating the room observing reactions, or having students demonstrate their understanding in engaging ways. Remember, quality over quantity! A few well-chosen clips that clearly show you checking for understanding are way better than a long, rambling video.
Decoding the Dialogue: Analyzing Student Interactions
Once you’ve got your video, put on your detective hat! Analyze those interactions. Did students’ responses show a genuine grasp of the material? Did you adapt your teaching based on their answers? Did you probe further when you sensed confusion? It’s about demonstrating that you’re not just going through the motions, but actively listening and responding to your students’ needs. Use this as an opportunity to show you can think on your feet and adjust your instruction to meet students where they are.
Planning for Success: The Planning Commentary
Now, let’s talk about the Planning Commentary. This is where you explain your rationale behind your “Checking for Understanding” strategies. Why did you choose those particular questions? How did you anticipate students might respond? What did you hope to learn from the activity? By clearly articulating your thinking, you’re showing the assessors that you’re intentional and thoughtful in your approach to teaching.
Reflecting on Reality: The Assessment Commentary
The Assessment Commentary is your chance to reflect on how it all went down. Did your “Checking for Understanding” strategies work as planned? What did you learn about your students’ understanding? How will you use this information to inform your future instruction? This is where you demonstrate your ability to analyze student data, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your teaching accordingly.
Commentary Tips: Nailing the Written Components
Finally, a few tips for writing strong Planning and Assessment Commentaries:
- Be specific: Avoid vague statements. Provide concrete examples from your lesson and video.
- Use evidence: Refer to specific student responses or interactions to support your claims.
- Be reflective: Don’t just describe what happened; analyze why it happened and what you learned from it.
- Proofread carefully: Nothing undermines your credibility like typos and grammatical errors.
So, there you have it! With a little planning, thoughtful execution, and some killer commentaries, you’ll be well on your way to demonstrating your “Checking for Understanding” prowess and acing the edTPA. Now go get ’em, tiger!
So, there you have it! Spotting those “checking for understanding” moments in your edTPA video doesn’t have to feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With a little practice and these tips in mind, you’ll be identifying them like a pro in no time. Good luck, you’ve got this!