After giving a lesson, reinforcement of what was just taught can prove to be just as, if not more, important for successful learning.

If you find you are having a problem with your students taking in and absorbing the information you are teaching them, then it is best to break your lecture up and get them speaking. Throughout the lesson it is important to have students participate and be actively following.

classroomCredit: pixabay

A good way of getting them to participate during the lessons is to direct questions to the class. When doing this, take notice of what they are asking, what they are failing to grasp. You can then take what your students have said and either address them on the spot or use them as direction for planning your next lesson. Either way, addressing confusion head-on is far better than ignoring it. 

Another important aspect of student apprehension is note taking.

Note taking is essential for some students and their education. Throughout your lesson write the important points on the board and give students time to copy them. Of the four learning styles, note taking is crucial for visual and tactile learners. This will help them process information and allow them to revisit and review the lesson on their own.

Here are two activities that can help students understand what you just taught them:

Exit TicketticketCredit: pixabay

Have students write on a piece of paper:

What I learned today…

What I already knew…

What I need more help with…

They must answer the three questions and turn it in as their ticket to leave class. With this information, you can identify what will most benefit students to be reviewed next class.

Conversation in Pairs

Towards the end of class have students get into pairs and discuss with each other what they learned that lesson.

It is important for them to identify what the lesson was about in their own words.

Each student needs a dedicated amount of time to explain what he or she have learned to their classmate.

In the final moments of class, call on pairs, have everyone share what their partner has said. 

With these two activities not only are you reinforcing your lesson, but you are also creating a dynamic learning environment in which students are using more of their brain than otherwise.