The importance of checking for understanding in teaching

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Checking for understanding is one of the most important aspects of effective teaching. It is not enough for teachers to deliver information and assume that pupils have understood. True learning happens when pupils can explain, apply and make connections between ideas. For this reason, teachers need to use a range of strategies to find out what pupils really know and where misconceptions may exist.

In the classroom

In the classroom, checking for understanding should be a constant process rather than an occasional task. Questioning is one of the most powerful tools teachers have. Asking open questions that require explanation rather than simple recall encourages pupils to think more deeply. Cold calling, where any pupil may be asked to respond, ensures that everyone remains engaged. Mini whiteboards, exit tickets and quick quizzes are also valuable as they allow teachers to see responses from the whole class and adjust teaching accordingly.

During revision

During revision, checking for understanding helps pupils consolidate knowledge and identify areas that need further practice. Low stakes testing, such as short retrieval quizzes, supports long term memory and helps teachers to gauge how securely knowledge has been retained. Asking pupils to explain a concept to a partner or to write a short summary in their own words can reveal whether they truly understand or are simply memorising facts.

Homework

Homework offers another opportunity to check for understanding beyond the classroom. Well designed homework tasks can highlight whether pupils can apply their learning independently. Teachers might ask pupils to complete problem-solving exercises, analyse a text or create a short explanation video. Reviewing this work gives valuable insight into how well pupils can transfer classroom learning to new contexts.

Marking

Marking plays a vital role in checking for understanding. When teachers mark exam style questions, they can see how well pupils apply their knowledge to unfamiliar contexts and identify patterns of misconception or gaps in reasoning. Equally, when pupils self mark their own work using clear success criteria or model answers, it encourages reflection and ownership of learning. Discussing these responses together helps clarify expectations and deepens understanding for future tasks.

Ultimately, checking for understanding is about closing the gap between what is taught and what is learned. It allows teachers to make informed decisions about when to move on and when to revisit material. It also helps pupils develop greater self-awareness of their learning. By building regular and varied checks for understanding into lessons, revision and homework, teachers can ensure that every pupil has the best chance to make strong and secure progress.