Prove It
With the technique Prove It, students complete a short task that produces evidence of learning before making a confidence judgement, such as using green/amber/red or 1-10 scoring.
For example, if students are completing an ‘I can…’ self-assessment grid (see above), include an accompanying ‘prove it’ task that students have to engage with before deciding if they are ‘green’, ‘amber’ or ‘red’. (They should have easy access to a marking scheme or exemplar so they can check how they have done.)
Why use this technique?
More often than not, students will be overconfident about what they have understood or learned, especially if content is familiar. Prove It requires students to produce evidence, which they can use to help decide how well something has actually been understood or learned.
Notes and tips
Related to this technique, resist the temptation to ask questions such as, ‘Does everyone understand?’. Even if everyone says, ‘Yes’, all you have produced is evidence of confidence, not actual understanding or learning.
Focused reflection
How well do you currently use this technique?
Is it a technique you will focus on developing?
If so, what are the key features you will focus on (things to do, and not do)?