The Importance of Check-ins: How to Know When Your Students Really Get It

The Importance of Check-ins: How to Know When Your Students Really Get It

As educators, we often assume that our students comprehend the material once it has been presented to them. However, studies show that as many as 80% of students do not retain the knowledge that they have gained during lectures. The question then becomes, how can we ensure that our students truly understand what we are teaching them?

This is where check-ins come in. Check-ins are a quick and easy way to gauge a student’s understanding of a subject in real-time. They allow educators to assess whether a student comprehends the material, or if further explanation is needed. In this article, we will explore the importance of check-ins, how they benefit both students and educators, and how to integrate them into your lesson plans.

The Benefits of Check-Ins

Check-ins benefit students by allowing them to self-assess their level of understanding, as well as see if their classmates have similar levels of understanding. This can encourage students to ask questions, work together, and build a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, check-ins give educators insight into which concepts the class struggles with, allowing for targeted instruction.

From an educator’s perspective, check-ins help to identify areas where further explanation is needed. This allows educators to pivot their lesson plan, ensuring that all students understand the concepts before moving on. For example, if the majority of a class is struggling with a certain concept, the educator can provide additional resources or spend more time further explaining the subject.

How to Integrate Check-Ins

There are a variety of ways to integrate check-ins into lesson plans, depending on the subject matter and grade level. Here are a few examples:

– Exit Tickets: Have students answer a question related to the day’s lesson before leaving the classroom. This can be done on paper or through digital platforms like Google Classroom or Kahoot.

– Thumbs up/Thumbs down: Ask students to give a physical signal to indicate if they understand a concept or not.

– Whiteboards: Have students write their answers on whiteboards and hold them up for the educator to see.

– Polls: Use educational apps like Mentimeter or Poll Everywhere to ask multiple-choice questions relating to the lesson.

Examples of Check-Ins in Action

Check-ins, when used effectively, can ultimately change the course of a student’s academic progress. Here are a few examples of how check-ins can help students and educators:

– An educator gives a lesson on the life cycle of a plant and uses an exit ticket to assess student’s understanding. They notice that a few students did not understand the difference between germination and pollination and are then able to provide targeted instruction.

– A high school history teacher uses a poll to gauge student’s understanding of WWI before diving deeper into the war. They notice that most students are struggling with the main causes of the war and create a more in-depth lesson plan for that topic.

– A middle school math teacher has students use thumbs up/thumbs down to indicate if they understand a certain type of problem. They notice that most students do not understand how to solve equations with variables on both sides of the equals sign. The educator then provides additional resources to help students learn how to solve these types of problems.

In conclusion, check-ins are a valuable tool for educators to ensure that their students truly understand the material being taught. Whether it’s through exit tickets, whiteboards, or polls, check-ins allow for targeted instruction and increased understanding. By incorporating check-ins into lesson plans, educators can help students build a deeper comprehension of subject matter ultimately leading to better academic outcomes.

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