Lifestyle
Discover formative assessment, the ongoing teaching strategy that uses real-time feedback to improve student learning and classroom instruction.
Formative assessment is an ongoing process teachers use to monitor student learning and provide real-time feedback. Unlike summative tests that grade a final outcome, its goal is to improve instruction as it happens. Think of it as a helpful check-up, not a final exam. Common methods include quick quizzes, classroom polls, and exit tickets. This process provides actionable information to guide teaching and help students pinpoint areas for improvement.
This approach is trending due to a shift toward personalized learning. It allows teachers to identify learning gaps immediately, making instruction highly efficient. The rise of EdTech has also fueled this trend, with digital tools making it easy to gather instant data through interactive activities. This move from high-stakes testing toward continuous improvement creates a more supportive learning environment that better prepares students for success.
For students, this method lowers test anxiety by focusing on progress over grades, fostering a growth mindset. It empowers them by highlighting specific areas needing attention. For teachers, it provides a clear picture of student comprehension, enabling them to adapt lessons on the fly. This creates a responsive classroom where instruction is tailored to student needs, ensuring learning is a collaborative journey toward mastering the material.