Documentation:FlISWModuleLCATSDebNov

Time to Complete this module

10 – 15 minutes

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Differentiate between formative and summative assessments

Read

Formative Assessment:
Assessment which is designed to provide feedback to the learner in order that they may improve their performance. In this sense it helps to ‘form’ the learner... The key feature of effective formative assessment is that it provides the learner with clear constructive feedback.

Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment takes place at the end of their course of study, and measures the learner's attainment against the specified learning objectives of the syllabus or programme.

Wallace, Susan (2012). A Dictionary of Education. Oxford University Press.

Reflect and Discuss

How do you know if your learners actually learned? How do you measure their learning?

Download PDF and briefly review the list of classroom assessment techniques (CATs). File:50 CATs Classroom Assessment Techniques.pdf

Select two (2) different CATs that you can implement in your teaching and share in the comment box below:

1. Identify whether these CATs are best used as formative and/or summative assessment,
2. Explain why these CATs appeal to you as an instructor, and
3. Consider how these CATs may impact your learners’ learning experience.

Go Further

• Field-tested Learning Assessment Guide for Science, Math, Engineering and Technology Instructors

Description: Succinct, self-contained, self-instructional, web-based modules that introduce a broadly applicable range of techniques for use in college or university courses.

• Classroom Assessment Techniques by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at Iowa State University

Description: Introduces CATs, outlines their multiple uses and shows different types.