Formative Assessment

What is formative assessment? These are assessments where students can gain feedback from their instructor. It emphasizes the importance of the quality not the quantity, and  prizes giving advice and guidance over giving grades

What is the CENTRAL purpose of formative assessment? The central purpose is to monitor the progression of the student.

Connect a best practice in formative assessment to one research-based strategy. Providing the students feedback is a big research-based strategies. “Providing the right kind of feedback to students can make a significant difference in their achievement. There are two key considerations. First, feedback that improves learning is responsive to specific aspects of student work, such as test or homework answers, and provides specific and related suggestions.”

Give an example of how a specific assessment can be used formatively and summatively. The difference lies in how evaluative instruments are used. For example, a rubric that lists criteria for evaluating writing can be used formatively to help students understand what is expected and summatively to assign a grade.

Give an example from your field placement related to formative assessment and timing. I gave a quiz about the election. I showed a power point and instead of giving them written homework, I told them to watch a news channel to gain more knowledge about the Electoral College and other topics that have to do with the election. Before the test, I gave them an oral review and they seemed to be very prepared for the test. That was a sign for me to continue with our formative assessment.

What are some strategies to help formative assessment be more effective when providing students with feedback? It should provide the student with a clear idea of how, what, and why to make their work better. It needs to be managed properly though. It has to be done in segments so the student does not become overwhelmed.

Name two advantages to high quality formative assessment. For students, formative assessment offers increased feelings of confidence and control. For teachers, it provides us with the information of who is struggling and who is doing good.

What are some challenges to implementing high quality formative assessment?    "From a policy perspective, the greatest challenge is to distinguish between high-quality formative assessment and assessment that is under-conceptualized or not fully developed."