Formative Assessment

 What is assessment?

According to Carole Tomlinson “Assessment is today’s means of modifying tomorrow’s

instruction.”

 What is formative assessment?

Formative assessment is also known as assessment for learning. In simpler words, it is a

continuous and an on-going assessment that allows teacher to monitor students and
modify their teaching based on what the students need to be successful.

Example of formative assessment:

A good analogy for this is the road test that is required to receive a driver’s license.
Before the final driving test a learner practice by being assessed assign and again to point
out all the deficiencies in the skill.

 Characteristics of formative assessment:

 Checks how students learning is going on and is there any kind of problem the
student is facing. It makes arrangements what to do next.
 Helps the students to learn better.
 Done on daily basis.
 Provides detailed and descriptive feedback.
 The main focus is improvement, compares the students present performance with
his/her previous performance which enables him/her to do better.

 Advantages of formative assessment:

 Defines learning goals
 Increases student motivation
 Accesses student’s current abilities
 Provides the ability to make immediate decisions, provides timely feedback
To help students reach their goals
 Extends students engagement

‘Formative assessment results in improved teaching learning process.’

Yes, for sure, formative assessment results in improved teaching learning process. This whole

process enhances student’s learning and understanding. It is done with purpose, providing

opportunities to them for learning. It is a regular, daily basis assessment. The teacher assesses the

students by observing them and by asking question and answers. The learners give them feed

back so they can raise the standards of their teaching. The results are easy to analyze at the

individual student level. In case of any difficulty, the teacher reaches out the student and correct

them. Also, it reflects teacher’s way of teaching. Formative assessment helps teachers to

determine next steps during the learning progress. In this kind of assessment, students are given

opportunities to practice and magnify their skills and concepts. One of the important

characteristics is student involvement. Formative assessment generates timely student

information. The teacher uses it to observe individual progress of the student, which means what

he/she knew, what he/she did not know, what they are capable of doing, what they cannot do. It

is used for instructional effectiveness as well. It is quite useful in diagnosing pupil’s strength and

weaknesses. The main focus of this assessment is improvement so that he/she is easily able to

achieve his/her goals. The importance of feedback in formative assessment is twofold. It shows

how well the students have learnt and on the other hand, how well the teacher has taught.

Improves the learning of every individual by providing short term goals and overcoming learning

difficulties. When the pupils are aware of their status and provided with a specific feedback, they

are motivated to work hard. Observing students’ behavior and tasks can help the teacher to

identify if pupils are on task or need some more clarification. Asking better questions allows an

opportunity for deeper thinking and provides teachers with depth of understanding. Moreover,

asking questions engage students in classroom dialogue which uncovers and expands learning.

Such assessment also helps the teacher to assess beyond a “grade” to see where the learner

started and where he stands now.

Its primary purpose is to provide high quality learning, that is why formative assessment is
considered as the most important assessment practice. This on going process covers each and

every aspect of an individual’s aspect. Formative assessment is one of the vast concepts. It

also plays a significant role in guiding the learners in selection of curricular activities. Let’s

take a simple example; a student getting high marks in computer may be guided to opt computer

science in future. So, as it is quite clear, that formative assessment is beneficial and helpful for

both the instructor and the educator. In case of teaching, it enhances and refines the teaching

skills of a teacher, lift up their teaching standards. On the other, in a student’s case, it helps and

guides the student to make progress and improve his/her performance. Such assessment helps

them decide what they want to do in future on the basis of their achievements and abilities.

 Garrison and Ethringhaus, (2007) identified some of the instructional strategies

that can be used for formative assessment:
 Observations
 Questioning strategies
 Self and peer assessment
 Student record keeping

 If you can both listen to children and accept their answers not as things to just be judged
right or wrong but as pieces of information which may reveal what the child is thinking
you will have taken a giant step toward becoming a master teacher rather than merely a
disseminator of information. (Crooks, 1988)

 The process used by teachers and students to recognize and respond to student learning in
order to enhance that learning, during the learning. (Bronwen Cowie & BeverlyBell,
1996/1999)

 Assessment’ refers to all those activities undertaken by teachers, and by the students in
assessing themselves, which provide information to be used as feedback to modify the
teaching and learning activities in which they are engaged. Such assessment become
‘formative assessment when the evidence is actually used to adapt the teaching to meet
the ends. (Black & Wiliam, 1998)