by Susan M. Brookhart
Introduction
Students need opportunities to express their understanding (i.e., where they are) as they work in the classroom. They also need opportunities to learn how to express their understanding. If you just ask, "Do you understand?" many students will either say, "Yes" or "I have no clue." This topic area is about soliciting specific information from students so they are able to articulate their understanding. The teacher's role, in addition to soliciting the information, is helping students interpret what they understand. As the teacher, you know how students will work with a learning goal, how students' understanding develops, and how to chunk the task into smaller, meaningful bites as needed.
Goals for Session 3
- Recognize the role of student understanding in the formative assessment process.
- Build a repertoire of strategies for soliciting information from students about their understanding.
Preparation