At the end of a lesson, teachers encourage students to jot down the important points discussed. By noting the important points it becomes easier for students to recall information and retain it. Writing is considered to be an effective memorization method. Some teachers encourage students to write one-word summaries of important points. Such summaries demand the application of critical thinking skills as students must investigate, read about and analyze the given topic.
Having a rapid-fire question-answer session soon after the lesson is closed is another way to evaluate how much information the students have grasped. The questioning needs to be specific and a particular outcome is usually expected. Teachers motivate students to create and participate in quizzes with questions pertaining to the lesson. It creates an ambiance of active discussion and helps clear students' doubts as well.
After the culmination of a lesson teachers may begin activities to help students remember and retain better. Worksheets or questionnaires could be distributed amongst students and the teachers may conduct a mock test followed by a detailed discussion of the answers. The worksheets and questionnaires would serve as instruments for teachers to examine the individual student's understanding of the lesson.
Some students enjoy being called forward and talking to the class. Teachers can use this tendency for a good cause and invite students to speak to the class about the day's lesson. Each student is allotted a maximum two minutes to organize his thoughts about the day's lesson and speak before the class. This activity will help improve the thought process and cultivate a sense of confidence.