What is a formative assessment?

A formative assessment is defined as an ongoing assessment utilized throughout the educational process to monitor student learning and provide timely feedback. This type of assessment is integral to teaching because it focuses on the learning journey rather than just the final outcome. By using formative assessments, instructors can identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust their teaching methods to address these issues effectively. This continuous feedback loop helps to create a responsive learning environment, allowing both instructors and students to work towards improved academic performance.

In contrast, a final exam at the conclusion of a course is typically considered a summative assessment, which evaluates cumulative knowledge rather than ongoing progress. Similarly, limiting assessment methods only to the early stages of training restricts the ability to measure and enhance student learning throughout the entire course. Lastly, while assessments can provide information about instructor effectiveness, formative assessments primarily focus on student performance and learning processes rather than evaluating the instructors themselves.