📖Detailed Answer
Understanding both types helps create a balanced assessment strategy:
Formative Assessment (Assessment FOR Learning)
Purpose: Guide instruction and provide feedback during learning
*Characteristics:*
- •Low-stakes (often ungraded or low point value)
- •Frequent (daily or weekly)
- •Provides immediate feedback
- •Identifies misconceptions early
- •Informs teaching adjustments
*Examples:*
- •Exit tickets
- •Quick checks
- •Whiteboard responses
- •Practice quizzes
- •Homework review
Summative Assessment (Assessment OF Learning)
Purpose: Evaluate mastery at the end of a learning period
*Characteristics:*
- •High-stakes (significant grade impact)
- •Periodic (end of unit, semester, year)
- •Measures achievement
- •Often standardized
- •Used for grades and reporting
*Examples:*
- •Unit tests
- •Final exams
- •Standardized tests
- •Projects
- •Portfolios
Using Both Effectively:
| Aspect | Formative | Summative |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | During instruction | After instruction |
| Stakes | Low | High |
| Frequency | Often | Periodic |
| Feedback | Immediate | Delayed |
| Purpose | Improve learning | Measure learning |
MathQuizily for Both:
- •Generate quick formative checks
- •Create comprehensive summative tests
- •Track progress over time
- •Adjust difficulty based on results
Key Insight: The best assessment programs use formative data to prepare students for summative success.