Formative assessment is an assessment tool used to provide immediate feedback to both the teacher and student, during the learning process. This assessment allows students to receive immediate feedback regarding their own progress and allows their teachers to know the best course of instruction continuing forward. (Chapuis, 2014) In order for assessments to be considered formative, they must occur alongside instruction and provide feedback that allows for ongoing guided teaching and learning. (McTighe & O’Connor, 2005) There is not a product, such as a test, that can be considered a formative assessment. Instead, how and when the results of such a test are used, determines whether or not it is formative. (Chappuis …show more content…
As Chapuis (2014) explains, through the use of assessment during instruction, teachers are able to immediately make adjustments to facilitate new learning. This allows the teacher easier promotion of further learning and the creation of a dynamic learning environment. Formative assessment also gives teachers the ability to determine specific learning targets and shift focus on curriculum that requires more attention. (Chappuis & Chappuis, 2007) Formal and informal methods are both great options for the incorporation of formative assessment into the classroom. Utilizing formative assessment creates more effective instruction for students …show more content…
One way to incorporate such assessment, is through the use of a class discussion and popsicle sticks. Each student writes their name on a stick and places it in a cup. The teacher then initiates an open question ended and a popsicle stick is chosen from the cup. The student whose name is called then attempts to answer the given question. This allows students to expand their knowledge, while getting rid of inaccurate information. The teacher is then able to access student understanding and determine the best course of learning going forward. (Goodrich, 2012) Another way to incorporate formative assessment into the classroom is through peer and self-assessment. Students are asked to research a topic and make a presentation about the topic covered. Then, each student is partnered up and asked to critique their partner’s work. This allows students to assess if they have properly learned the given content. The peer evaluation elements allows teachers to see whether or not students are aware of the connection between their partners knowledge and their presentation (Ma & Millman, 2005) These assessments allow for self-evaluation and students elevated awareness of their strengths and weaknesses. The teacher benefits from the assessment, through the discovery of areas that need further attention in order for