- Formative assessment
Formative assessment is a process of gathering and analyzing data on student learning to inform instruction and provide feedback to students. It is typically used during the learning process to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and track their progress. Formative assessment can be used in a variety of ways, such as through observations, questioning, quizzes, homework assignments, and projects.
Importance and function of formative assessment
Formative assessment is an important part of the teaching and learning process. It can help teachers to:
- Identify students who need additional support
- Provide timely feedback to students to help them improve their learning
- Adapt instruction to meet the needs of all learners
- Measure student progress towards learning goals
- Summative assessment
Summative assessment is used to measure student learning at the end of a unit, course, or semester. It is typically used to determine grades and make decisions about student placement. Summative assessments can include tests, exams, essays, and projects.
Differences between formative and summative assessment
The following table summarizes the key differences between formative and summative assessment:
| Characteristic |
Formative assessment |
Summative assessment |
| Purpose |
To inform instruction and provide feedback to students |
To measure student learning at the end of a unit, course, or semester |
| Timing |
Used throughout the learning process |
Used at the end of a unit, course, or semester |
| Focus |
On student learning and progress |
On student achievement of learning goals |
| Examples |
Observations, questioning, quizzes, homework assignments, projects |
Tests, exams, essays, projects |
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- Alignment between data collection techniques and assessment function
The author’s statement that different data collection techniques are not aligned to one specific form of assessment function means that the same data collection technique can be used for both formative and summative assessment, depending on the intended purpose. For example, a teacher could use a quiz as a formative assessment to check for understanding during a lesson, or as a summative assessment to measure student learning at the end of a unit.
This flexibility has a number of implications for classroom assessment. First, it means that teachers have a wide range of options for collecting data on student learning. Second, it means that teachers can tailor their assessment practices to the specific needs of their students and the learning goals of their lessons.
- Performance assessment
- Differences between performance assessment and other types of assessment
Performance assessment is a type of assessment that requires students to demonstrate their learning through hands-on tasks or performances. It is different from other types of assessment, such as tests and quizzes, in that it allows students to show what they know and can do in a more authentic way.
- Benefits and disadvantages of performance assessment
Benefits:
- Performance assessment can help to measure a wider range of student learning outcomes, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- It can also help to motivate students and engage them in their learning.
- Performance assessment can also provide students with opportunities to reflect on their learning and identify areas for improvement.
Disadvantages:
- Performance assessment can be more time-consuming and difficult to grade than other types of assessment.
- It can also be challenging to create performance assessments that are fair and equitable for all students.
- Performance criteria
- Importance of performance criteria
Performance criteria are essential to performance assessment because they provide a clear and specific rubric for judging student performance. They also help to ensure that all students are assessed against the same standards.
- How performance criteria can help with planning and conducting instruction
Performance criteria can also help teachers to plan and conduct instruction. By identifying the specific skills and knowledge that students need to demonstrate in order to meet the performance criteria, teachers can develop lessons and activities that are aligned to the learning goals.
- Portfolio assessment
- Description and types of student work that can be included in a portfolio
Portfolio assessment is a type of assessment that involves the collection and reflection on student work over time. Portfolios can include a variety of student work, such as essays, projects,
