Checking for Understanding – How to Ensure Students Are Learning

This is the third post in the ‘Insights from Teaching’ Series

One of the biggest challenges teachers face is knowing whether students are actually learning. We can’t just assume that because we’ve taught something, students have absorbed it. That’s why checking for understanding (CFU) is crucial—it helps us gauge student progress in real-time and adjust our teaching accordingly.

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1. Why Checking for Understanding Matters

✅ Prevents misconceptions from taking root ✅ Allows for timely interventions ✅ Engages students actively in their learning ✅ Helps students reflect on their own progress

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2. Practical CFU Strategies

a) Formative Assessment Techniques

• Exit tickets – Have students write one key takeaway before leaving.
• Think-Pair-Share – Encourage discussion before responding.
• Fist-of-Five – Students rate their understanding with their fingers (e.g. 5 fingers in the air indicates they fully confident of their understanding).

b) Using Technology

• Kahoot! & Quizizz – Fun, interactive quizzes.
• Google Forms – Quick check-in surveys.

c) Interactive Engagement

• Cold calling – Ask different students to explain concepts.
• Peer teaching – Have students explain to each other.

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Conclusion

Checking for understanding isn’t just about assessment—it’s about ensuring students are actively engaged in their learning. What CFU strategies have worked for you? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Stay tuned for the next post: Managing Behaviour and Creating a Safe Learning Space.