The Use of Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom

 

 Introduction

Have you any idea related to formative and summative assessments? What is the use of formative and summative assessments in the classroom? Assessments are evaluative assignments that allows instructors and students to monitor progress towards achieving course learning objectives. Basically, there are two main types of assessments – formative and summative assessments.

Formative assessments are employed while learning is ongoing to collect information on whether course objectives are being advanced and how teaching can be improved. Formative assessments often aim to identify strengths, challenges, and misconceptions and evaluate how to close those gaps. They may involve students assessing themselves, peers, or even the instructor through writing, quizzes, conversation, and more. By measuring student understanding throughout a course, formative assessments enable students to reflect on how they can improve their own learning.

In contrast, summative assessments are used by instructors to evaluate student learning, knowledge, proficiency, or success at the conclusion of an instructional period, such as a unit, course, or program. Summative assessments are almost always formally graded and often heavily weighted, though they do not need to be. They often take the form of exams, papers, presentations, or final projects. These assessments aim to “sum up” student learning through measurable outcome.

Benefits

Formative and summative assessments both are beneficial for advancements in students learning as said by the teachers of the best English medium school in Howrah. Though final exam period is often stressful for students, summative assessments can be effective in promoting learning when designed carefully. Assessments that test students’ ability to apply skills and course material as opposed to rote memorization allow for a more holistic evaluation of understanding and performance.

Examples of formative and summative assessments

Some of the examples of formative assessments are in class discussions, poll everywhere questions, low stakes group work, weekly quizzes, 1 minute reflection writing assignments, homework assignments. Some of the examples of summative assessments are instructor created exams, standardised tests, final projects, final essays, final presentations, and final grades.

Conclusion

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