Formative assessment comprises techniques that are used to monitor student learning and to provide ongoing feedback. The aim of formative assessment is to provide information on student struggles that can be acted on immediately.
Different types of formative assessment include:
Asking students to draw a concept map on a lecture topic or research topic.
Having students articulate the important concepts of a lecture.
Having student submit a research proposal or draft outline for early feedback.
Angelo and Cross (book available in CTE library) have written extensively on formative classroom techniques.
Summative Assessments
Summative assessment is used to understand student learning at the end of a class or instructional unit.
Information is used to to gauge achievement of student learning outcomes for the course and/or specific assignment at hand.
