The Written Reply Technique

Ask all the students to take a piece of paper, fold and tear it into four pieces, and pile them up on their desks. Then ask them questions throughout the class which they have to repond to by writing their responses. A response is required, even if it's "Mr. K. I have no bloody idea what you're talking about!"

Tell them they have 90 seconds to write their answers and give them 60. Also tell them: "I don't want anybody's name on the papers." While a response is required they can remain anonymous.

Collect the papers, shuffle them, and give a pile to each of two other students who pick out three or four at random while you do the same.

You now have a snapshot of what students do or do not understand in your class. To read about this technique in action read this.

Contributed by Darren Kuropatwa.

Using Mini-Whiteboards

Start by grouping your students in your class into pairs. I find that grouping a strong student with a weaker student works better. Give each group a mini-whiteboard, whiteboard marker and eraser.

During your lesson when you would normally ask a question to the whole class and wait for some brave student to raise their hand to answer pose the same question to the whole class but ask the students to construct an answer on their whiteboard. It is amazing to see what the students come up with!!!!

I find this teaching technique encourages students to talk about math and encourages them to help each other with things they misunderstand. I also find it is a great way of implementing formative assessment in your class.

Previously, when I asked a question to the whole class and had the students put up their hand to answer, I only really knew if that one student understood the question and could form an answer. Now, with the white boards I can see if all of my students understand the question. Using the whiteboards also gives the students more time to think. Does my lesson take longer to teach. NO!!! In fact, I find I skip some examples I would have normally done in class because I see students already understand certain concepts. Using the whiteboards also allows me to assist those groups that are really having trouble while the rest of the class continues to solve the problem.

Contributed by Terry Kaminski.