RADIC Educational Handbook - 4. Assessments

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Formative and summative assessments are two key components of educational evaluation, each serving distinct purposes in the learning process. The key differences are a) in the purpose: Formative assessments aim to improve learning during the process, while summative assessments aim to evaluate the learning at its conclusion; b) in the timing: Formative assessments are conducted throughout the instructional period, whereas summative assessments are administered at the end; and c) in the kind of feedback: Formative assessments provide immediate feedback to both students and instructors, while summative assessments provide a final evaluation of student learning. Both formative and summative assessments are essential in education, serving complementary roles in enhancing and measuring student learning (Ismail et al, 2022; Desimone, 2009).

4.1 Formative Assessments

Formative assessments are informal and ongoing processes used by educators to monitor student learning and provide feedback that can be used to improve both teaching and learning. These assessments are often low-stakes and can take various forms, such as quizzes, in-class activities, discussions, or homework assignments. The primary goal of formative assessment is to identify areas where students are struggling and to address these gaps in understanding promptly. Regularly collecting student feedback through surveys, questionnaires, or informal discussions provides direct insight into students' perceptions of teaching methods and their effectiveness (Díaz et al., 2010). Formative assessment helps in adjusting instructional strategies to better meet students' needs and supports students in developing a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Examples of formative assessments for students: 

  1. Quizzes: Short, frequent quizzes that check students' understanding of recent material without significantly impacting their final grades.
  2. In-Class Activities: Group discussions, peer reviews, or interactive exercises that help students engage with the content and assess their understanding.
  3. Homework Assignments: Tasks given to students to complete outside of class, providing practice and feedback opportunities.
  4. Reflective Journals: keeping a daily or weekly journal to reflect on teaching experiences, helping in identifying areas for improvement and tracking progress over time (Farrell, 2013).
  5. Think-Pair-Share: Students think individually about a question, then discuss their thoughts with a partner before sharing with the larger group, allowing for the assessment of understanding at different stages.
  6. Peer observations: where colleagues observe classes and provide constructive feedback, offer an external perspective and can highlight strengths and areas for growth that may not have been noticed (Hendry & Oliver, 2012).
  7. Self-evaluation checklists to evaluate various aspects of teaching, such as lesson planning, delivery, and classroom management, provides a structured approach to self-assessment and ensures comprehensive coverage of all teaching aspects (Brown & Knight, 1994). 
    Teachers makes observations and note student behaviors, participation, and responses during class activities. Analysing student performance data, such as grades, test scores, and assignment completion rates, helps in assessing the effectiveness of teaching methods and understanding their impact on student learning (Guskey, 2002). By regularly engaging in self-assessment, educators can continuously refine their teaching practices, leading to improved student outcomes (Boud, 1995).

4.2 Summative Assessments

Summative assessments are used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, typically for the purpose of assigning grades. These assessments are usually high-stakes and can include final exams, standardized tests, term papers, or final projects. Summative assessments aim to measure the extent of student learning, knowledge, and skill acquisition against predefined standards or benchmarks. They provide a summary of what students have learned and are often used for accountability purposes, such as determining whether students have achieved the learning outcomes of a course or program (Ismail et al, 2022).

Examples of Summative Assessments:

  1. Final Exams: Comprehensive tests administered at the end of a course, covering all major content areas.
  2. Standardized Tests: Exams such as state assessments or standardized national tests used to evaluate overall student learning and compare performance across different populations.
  3. Final Projects or Portfolios: Cumulative projects or collections of student work that demonstrate learning and skills acquired over a course or semester.
  4. Term Papers: In-depth essays or research papers that require students to synthesize and apply knowledge from the course.
  5. Presentations: Oral or multimedia presentations summarizing key learnings from the course, often involving both a written component and a live or recorded presentation.
  6. Performance Tasks: Practical assessments, such as laboratory experiments or role-plays, where students apply their knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios.

These assessments help gauge both ongoing progress and final mastery of course content, providing a balanced approach to evaluating educational outcomes (Ismail et al, 2022).
 

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