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Formative vs Summative:

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Benchmark tests are mini summative tests

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Benchmark tests are mini summative tests

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Not a part of the grading process, but a part of the instruction process

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Not a part of the grading process, but a part of the instruction process

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Feedback needs to be timely, clear, specific, manageable, and meaningful.

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Feedback needs to be timely, clear, specific, manageable, and meaningful.

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Using Common Learning Framework strategies is an example of delivering information during the instructional process

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Using Common Learning Framework strategies is an example of delivering information during the instructional process

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Strategies for formative may include exit tickets, pair share, thumbs up or colored paper.

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Strategies for formative may include exit tickets, pair share, thumbs up or colored paper.

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A  summative assessment documents how much learning has taken place at a point in time.

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A  summative assessment documents how much learning has taken place at a point in time.

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Feedback for students and teachers to help guide teaching and improve learning 

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Feedback for students and teachers to help guide teaching and improve learning 

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How the result of an assessment is used is the difference between formative and summative.

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How the result of an assessment is used is the difference between formative and summative.

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Formative assessments deliver information during the instructional process before the summative assessment

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Formative assessments deliver information during the instructional process before the summative assessment

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Formative assessments are not a product.

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Formative assessments are not a product.

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Beware of tests that are advertised as formative but are really mini summative tests.

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Beware of tests that are advertised as formative but are really mini summative tests.

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Conducting good assessments is the art of good teaching.

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Conducting good assessments is the art of good teaching.

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Plan assessment as you plan instruction.

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Plan assessment as you plan instruction.

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So far we've touched on eight formative assessment ideas that can help teachers elicit evidence of student learning in the here and now. This barometer can be vital to making needed adjustments in teaching plans to improve student learning for all in the classroom. These formative assessment ideas are all inexpensive and easy to implement, and engage the entire class consistently. While no one idea will work for all teachers or all students, we hope there's one that works for you and your classroom.

So far, our blogs have touched on the following formative assessment ideas:

Our latest formative assessment idea is called ABCD Cards. While students can use the thumbs up or down technique to provide answers with one answer, the ABCD Cards can be used for questions that have one answer, multiple answers, or no right or wrong answer at all.

Each student is given a set of cards. When there's a question or problem posed, they can signal the correct answer by holding up the appropriate card. By interspersing answers that are common misconceptions, the teacher will also be able to identify areas of student need. If you find that students tend to want see what other classmates are raising as a letter before answering on their own, you can employ other formative assessment techniques, like randomly selecting a Popsicle™ Stick and having that student help provide the correct answer.

This formative assessment idea does require a limited set of answers, and the teacher may need to write down what answer corresponds to what letter. As a result this idea is often best suited for teaching subject matter like math, versus something where opinion can (and should) form part of the answer.

How are you using formative assessment in your classroom or school? We'd love to hear from you so drop a comment below.

Kathy Dyer is a Manager of Professional Learning Design for NWEA, designing and developing learning opportunities for partners and internal staff. Formerly a Professional Development Consultant for NWEA, she coached teachers and school leadership and provided professional development focused on assessment, data, and leadership. In a career that includes 20 years in the education field, she has also served as a district achievement coordinator, principal, and classroom teacher. She received her Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Colorado Denver. Follow her on Twitter at @kdyer13.

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Classroom Techniques: Formative Assessment Idea Number Nine

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So far we've touched on eight formative assessment ideas that can help teachers elicit evidence of student learning in the here and now. This barometer can be vital to making needed adjustments in teaching plans to improve student learning for all in the classroom.