Reflection on free writing exercise

The free write exercise is something that students can definitely have fun with. It's something that doesn't require effort on anyone's part and it does bring about a great way to understand what students think about a certain subject. Of course they might miss out on certain things they think about a subject but giving them five mins to write anything about the subject down makes them pretty much write down what they know. They start forming webs of connections linking one idea to another within their understanding of the subject. It may even create a better link to certain ideas of what they had about the subject as they being to think about it more consciously after they finish the activity. It also on another level actually makes them ponder whether they understand the subject or not. If they begin to start questioning ideas that they're having, they can see it on paper and further investigate the subject. This exercise is a great way to find out the students' understanding as well as allow the students themselves to realize whether they understand it or not.