What is one method for evaluating students' understanding after a unit?

Evaluating students' understanding after a unit is crucial for determining how well they have absorbed the material and for guiding future instruction. Project presentations serve as an effective method for assessment because they encourage students to apply what they have learned in a meaningful way. Through presentations, students demonstrate their understanding by synthesizing information, organizing it thoughtfully, and communicating their ideas to peers and instructors. This method not only assesses knowledge retention but also allows for creativity and critical thinking, which are important skills in mathematics and many other disciplines.

In contrast, relying solely on weekly quizzes or multiple-choice tests may not provide as comprehensive an understanding of student capabilities. Quizzes can often challenge recall rather than deeper understanding, and multiple-choice tests may limit the way students express their knowledge. Additionally, choosing not to assess at all would leave significant gaps in understanding how well students grasp the unit's concepts. Therefore, project presentations emerge as a multifaceted approach to evaluate understanding, making them a valuable tool in the educational process.