When to Use Formative Assessments

Formative assessments are used primarily for monitoring student learning, providing ongoing feedback, and informing instructional adjustments. They are diagnostic tools that help identify students' strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

Key Times to Use Formative Assessments:

1. Early in the Learning Process: To assess students' prior knowledge and identify any misconceptions before delving deeper into new material.
2. Throughout the Course: Regularly, to check for understanding and guide instructional strategies. This can be done weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the course structure.
3. After Introducing New Concepts: To gauge how well students are grasping new material and to address any immediate confusion.
4. During Active Learning Activities: While students engage in discussions, group work, or hands-on activities, formative assessments can provide real-time feedback.
5. Before Major Assignments or Exams: To prepare students by identifying areas where they may need additional study or support.
6. In Response to Student Feedback: When students express confusion or struggle with particular concepts, formative assessments can help pinpoint the issues.

Examples of Use:

• Quizzes and Polls: Quick checks for understanding after a lecture.
• Class Discussions and Interactive Activities: To encourage engagement and check comprehension.
• Peer Reviews: Before final submission of major projects or papers, allowing students to refine their work.

Formative Assessment Types

1. Quizzes: Regular, low-stakes quizzes to check for understanding.
2. Reflections: Written or verbal reflections on what students have learned.
3. Peer Reviews: Students assess each other's work, providing constructive feedback.
4. Class Discussions: Facilitated discussions to gauge understanding and engage students.
5. One-Minute Papers: Brief, in-class writing activities summarizing key points learned.
6. Concept Maps: Diagrams created by students to visually represent relationships among concepts.
7. Polls and Surveys: Quick polls or surveys to gather student opinions and understanding.
8. Exit Tickets: Short prompts completed at the end of a class to assess understanding.
9. Think-Pair-Share: Students think individually, then pair up to discuss, and finally share with the class.
10. Journals: Ongoing written reflections on course material and learning experiences.
11. Homework Assignments: Tasks assigned to reinforce concepts outside of class.
12. Observation: Instructor observation of student participation and engagement.
13. Drafts and Revisions: Submission of preliminary drafts for feedback and improvement.
14. Interactive Activities: Games, simulations, or role-plays to assess comprehension.
15. Case Studies: Analysis and discussion of real-world scenarios relevant to course content.
16. Learning Logs: Continuous logs where students track their learning progress.
17. Group Work: Collaborative tasks that encourage peer-to-peer learning and assessment.
18. Formative Projects: Smaller, preliminary projects that build towards a final assessment.
19. Self-Assessments: Students evaluate their own work and progress.
20. Scaffolded Assignments: Incremental tasks that build towards mastering complex skills