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Formative Assessment

What is it?

Formative assessment in higher education refers to a range of evaluative processes used by faculty to provide ongoing feedback to students during the learning process. The primary aim of formative assessment is to improve student learning and understanding rather than to assign grades or scores. It helps students identify their strengths and areas for improvement and guides instructors in adjusting their teaching strategies to better meet students' needs.

Key characteristics of formative assessment include:

  1. Continuous Feedback: Regular feedback is provided to students, helping them understand their progress and areas needing improvement.
  2. Non-Graded: These assessments are typically not graded and do not contribute to the final course grade. Instead, they are used to inform learning and teaching.
  3. Student Involvement: Students are often encouraged to engage in self-assessment and reflection, promoting active learning and self-regulation.
  4. Diverse Methods: Formative assessments can take various forms, such as quizzes, discussions, peer reviews, drafts of assignments, in-class activities, and informal observations.
  5. Diagnostic Purpose: These assessments help identify learning gaps, misconceptions, and areas where students struggle, allowing for timely intervention.

Why should Faculty use Formative Assessments?

Faculty should use formative assessment for several important reasons:

  1. Improves Student Learning: Formative assessments provide timely feedback, helping students understand their strengths and weaknesses. This enables them to improve and progress in their learning journey.
  2. Informs Instructional Practices: By assessing student understanding throughout the course, faculty can identify areas where students are struggling and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. This can lead to more effective instruction and better learning outcomes.
  3. Encourages Active Learning: Formative assessments often involve interactive and engaging activities, such as discussions, peer reviews, and self-reflections. These activities encourage students to take an active role in their learning process, promoting deeper understanding and retention of material.
  4. Reduces Anxiety: Since formative assessments are typically low-stakes and not graded, they reduce the pressure and anxiety associated with high-stakes testing. This creates a more supportive learning environment where students can focus on learning rather than just performing.
  5. Promotes Self-Regulation: Regular feedback helps students develop self-regulation skills, such as setting goals, monitoring their progress, and adjusting their strategies. These skills are valuable for lifelong learning and professional development.
  6. Identifies Learning Gaps: Formative assessments help identify misconceptions and gaps in knowledge early on, allowing for timely intervention. This ensures that students do not fall behind and can keep up with the course content.
  7. Enhances Student Motivation: When students receive constructive feedback and see their progress, they are often more motivated to engage with the material and put in the effort needed to succeed.
  8. Supports Personalized Learning: Formative assessments provide insights into individual student needs, allowing faculty to tailor their instruction to meet diverse learning styles and abilities. This personalized approach can improve student outcomes and satisfaction.
  9. Facilitates Continuous Improvement: For faculty, formative assessment data can be used to continuously improve course design and teaching practices. By understanding what works and what doesn’t, faculty can refine their methods to better support student learning.

How do Faculty implement Formative Assessments?

Faculty use formative assessments in various ways to enhance the learning process and improve instructional practices. Here are some practical strategies:

  1. In-Class Activities:
    • Think-Pair-Share: Pose a question to the class, have students think about it individually, discuss their thoughts with a partner, and then share with the larger group.
    • One-Minute Papers: Ask students to write a quick response to a question or summarize the key points of a lesson within one minute.
    • Polling: Use tools like clickers or online polls to gauge student understanding in real-time.
  2. Quizzes and Questionnaires:
    • Low-Stakes Quizzes: Conduct short, ungraded quizzes to check for understanding of recent material.
    • Entrance/Exit Tickets: Have students answer a question at the beginning or end of class to assess their grasp of key concepts.
  3. Peer Reviews and Group Work:
    • Peer Assessment: Allow students to review each other’s work using guided rubrics or criteria.
    • Collaborative Projects: Facilitate group activities that require students to apply concepts and solve problems together.
  4. Drafts and Revisions:
    • Draft Submissions: Encourage students to submit drafts of essays or projects for feedback before the final submission.
    • Iterative Assignments: Structure assignments in stages, providing feedback at each stage to guide improvement.
  5. Reflective Practices:
    • Learning Journals: Have students keep journals where they reflect on what they’ve learned, challenges they’ve faced, and strategies they’ve found helpful.
    • Self-Assessments: Encourage students to evaluate their own work against a set of criteria to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
  6. Interactive Technology Tools:
    • Online Discussion Boards: Use forums or discussion boards to facilitate ongoing dialogue and feedback on course topics.
    • Educational Apps: Incorporate apps and platforms that provide instant feedback on exercises and activities.
  7. Feedback Sessions:
    • Student Conferences: Hold one-on-one or small group meetings to discuss progress and provide personalized feedback.
    • Feedback Workshops: Organize sessions where students receive detailed feedback from peers and the instructor on specific assignments.
  8. Concept Maps and Diagrams:
    • Mind Mapping: Have students create visual representations of their understanding of a topic, which can reveal connections and gaps in knowledge.
  9. Case Studies and Problem-Based Learning:
    • Case Analysis: Use case studies to allow students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios and receive feedback on their analysis.
    • Problem-Based Learning: Present complex problems for students to solve, providing guidance and feedback throughout the process.
  10. Observations and Informal Assessments:
    • Classroom Observations: Observe student participation and interactions during class activities to assess engagement and understanding.
    • Informal Conversations: Engage in casual discussions with students about their learning experiences and challenges.