Concept checking - pre-class reading

‘Do you understand?’ is a concept checking question. 

• True

• False

• Not sure

Answer explanation

When you ask this in class, most probably you'll hear an YES, while the ones who do not understand will not say anything.

Concept checking questions are simple questions that guide the learner to understand a concept. 

• True

• False

• Not sure

Answer explanation

Remember you use CCQs to clarify concepts and structures, not to confuse students. Keep it simple and concise.

When we clarify a new structure, one good concept question is better than many concept questions. 

• True

• False

• Not sure

Answer explanation

Use as many CCQs as you want, it is much better than lecturing and explaining. Concept questions keep students engaged, they like to show what they know and they are happy when they guess the correct answer. These positive emotions will increase retention, which means they learn by answering your questions.

Concept questions can be used in combination with pictures and timelines. 

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

Answer explanation

Sure, the more visuals you use, the easier it will be for students to understand and remember that piece of information.

Concept questions should be clear and simple. 

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

Answer explanation

Keep it simple and clear! Remember, concept questions are here to help you cut the lecturing and the long and boring explanations.

The answers to concept questions should be one or two sentences.

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

Answer explanation

The best CCQs are the ones whose answer is one word or a short phrase. Use Yes/No questions, 50/50 chance questions, discrimination questions.

Watch the video in the Google Classroom. Which techniques did the teacher use to check understanding? 

• Time lines to establish tenses

• Clines to show grades or scales

• Concept Checking Questions

• Pictures to distinguish between similar concepts

Answer explanation

The teacher asked concept checking questions and asked the students to draw a cline. Clines are very useful to check the understanding of adverbs of frequency, extreme adjectives mixed with gradable adjectives and anything that can be logically ordered.

Watch the video. There are 4 concept questions used. Write the first one here:

Answer explanation

If I play computer games once a week, how many times do I play?

 

Watch the video. There are 4 concept questions used. Write the second one here:

Answer explanation

If I play twice a week, how many times do I play? 

Watch the video. There are 4 concept questions used. Write the third one here:

Answer explanation

If I play once in a while, do you think it is always or rarely?