Formative vs. Summative Assessment: Methods of Teaching
by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023
Formative vs. Summative Assessment: Methods of Teaching
Assessment tools are crucial components of the educational system. They are used to measure an individual’s academic progress and quantify what he or she has learned. Assessment tools can be divided into two categories: formative and summative assessment. Let’s take a look at the difference between the two.
What is Formative Assessment?
Formative assessment (प्रशिक्षण की मूल्यांकन) is a form of ongoing assessment that is used to measure and improve student learning. It involves providing feedback and extra practice to help students understand and master a concept or skill. Formative assessment is used to help identify students’ learning needs, and it provides teachers with the opportunity to intervene and help students reach their learning goals.
What is Summative Assessment?
Summative assessment (कुल्यांकन) is a form of assessment that takes place at the end of a unit, lesson, or course. It is used to measure student progress and academic achievement. It often takes the form of a final exam or test, although it may also include presentations, portfolios, or other projects. Summative assessment is usually used to inform decisions about grading, so it is focused on evaluating student performance.
Formative vs. Summative Assessment: How They Differ
Formative and summative assessment are two distinct approaches to assessing student learning. Let’s take a look at how they differ.
Characteristics
Formative assessment is an ongoing process that provides feedback throughout the learning experience. It is used to inform instruction and adjust teaching strategies. Summative assessment takes places at the end of a unit or course and is used to measure learning outcomes.
Purpose
Formative assessment is used to measure and improve student learning. Summative assessment is used to measure student progress and to inform decisions about grading.
Timeline
Formative assessment takes place throughout the learning experience. Summative assessment usually takes place at the end of a unit or course.
Focus
Formative assessment is focused on improving student learning, and it is used to identify learning needs and inform instruction. Summative assessment is focused on measuring progress and evaluating student performance.
Types
Formative assessment includes tools such as quizzes, feedback, and practice problems. Summative assessment often takes the form of a final exam or test, although it may also include presentations, portfolios, or other projects.
Results
Formative assessment can be used to inform instruction and adjust teaching strategies. Summative assessment is used to measure student performance and to inform decisions about grading.
Benefits of Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is an invaluable tool for measuring student learning and improving student outcomes. Here are some of the key benefits of this approach:
- It helps teachers identify gaps in student learning and intervene to help students reach their learning goals.
- It provides students with feedback and extra practice so they can master a concept or skill.
- It encourages students to take ownership of their learning and identify areas for improvement.
- It helps teachers adjust their teaching strategies to better meet the needs of their students.
Conclusion
Formative and summative assessment are two distinct approaches to assessing student learning. Formative assessment is used to measure and improve student learning, while summative assessment is used to measure student progress and evaluate performance. Both approaches have their own set of benefits and provide valuable insights into student learning.
