What is one effective method for assessing students’ understanding?

Using exit tickets is an effective method for assessing students' understanding because they provide immediate feedback about what students have learned during a lesson. An exit ticket typically consists of a short prompt or question that students must answer before leaving class. This technique allows instructors to gauge students' comprehension of the material while it is still fresh in their minds, helping to identify areas where additional instruction may be needed.

Exit tickets also encourage students to reflect on their learning and articulate their thoughts, which can lead to deeper understanding. Additionally, since they are often quick and informal, they can be easily integrated into any lesson, providing timely data on student learning without the pressure of a formal assessment. This method stands out compared to standardized testing, which is usually more rigid and less responsive to immediate learning needs, or taking attendance, which does not evaluate understanding at all. Random quizzes may also help in assessing understanding, but they may not offer the focused, reflective feedback that exit tickets provide on a daily or weekly basis.