Exploring Formative Assessment by Jenn G

Formal Definition found in Transformative Assessment by W. James Popham

jgingerich — 2014-02-02 15:18:23 UTC

"Formative assessment is a process used by teachers and students during instruction that provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning to improve students' achievement of intended instructional outcomes."

Redos and Retakes Done Right

jgingerich — 2014-02-02 15:22:25 UTC

By Rick Wormeli

jgingerich — 2014-02-02 15:28:30 UTC

Bellon, Bellon, and Blank,1997

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:27:21 UTC

"Academic feedback is more strongly and consistently related to achievement than any other teaching behavior. This relationship is consistent regardless of grade, socioeconomic status, race or school setting.”

John Hattie

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:28:36 UTC

“The most powerful single modification that enhances achievement is feedback. The simplest prescription for improving education must be ‘dollops’ of feedback.”

Christopher, S. Education Leadership, Dec 2007

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:30:22 UTC

“When homework is used as a formative assessment, students have multiple opportunities to practice, get feedback from the teacher, and improve. Homework becomes a safe place to try out new skills without penalty, just as athletes and musicians try out their skills on the practice field or in rehearsals. Effective homework is the rehearsal before the final event.”

Wiggins, G. (2010,May 22).

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:31:56 UTC

Feedback is a word we use unthinkingly and inaccurately. We smile at a student, say “Good job!” and call it feedback. We write “B-” at the top of a paper and consider it feedback. We share a score on the state test with a student and his parents and consider it feedback.

But feedback is something different. It is useful information about performance. It is not praise, it is not evaluation, it is not a number on a standardized test. So, true feedback is critical –perhaps the key element – in effective learning.

Reinhart, 2000 as cited in Skillful Teacher

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:33:38 UTC

"My definition of a good teacher has changed from ‘one who explains things so well that students understand’ to ‘one who gets students to explain so well that they can be understood.’ ”

Stiggins, R. et al. (2006)

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:35:41 UTC

“Assessments for learning happen while learning is still underway. These are the assessments that we conduct throughout teaching and learning to diagnose student needs, plan our next steps in instruction, provide students with feedback they can use to improve the quality of their work, and help students feel in control of their journey to success. This is not about accountability – these are assessments of learning. This is about getting better.”

James Popham (2008.)Transformative Assessment

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:38:33 UTC

“It is not the nature of the test that earns the label formative or summative but the use to which that test's results will be put.”

Easley and Zwoyer 1975

jgingerich — 2014-02-21 17:45:06 UTC

“If you can both listen to children and accept their answers not as things to just be judged right or wrong but as pieces of information which may reveal what the child is thinking, you will have taken a giant step toward becoming a master teacher, rather than merely a disseminator of information.”

5 Fantastic, Fast, Formative Assessment Tools

jgingerich — 2015-05-26 22:04:40 UTC

Formative Assessment Is Transformational!

jgingerich — 2015-12-08 03:42:33 UTC

By Andrew Miller

jgingerich — 2017-10-11 02:01:13 UTC

jgingerich — 2017-10-11 04:09:28 UTC

Student Self Assessment by James H. McMillan and Jessica Hearn

jgingerich — 2018-02-20 21:47:42 UTC

In the current era of standards-based education, student self-assessment stands alone in its promise of improved student motivation and engagement, and learning. Its powerful impact on student performance empowers students to guide their own learning and internalize the criteria for judging success.

How to get students to read feedback

jgingerich — 2019-01-14 22:39:47 UTC

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jgingerich — 2022-10-16 21:13:50 UTC

jgingerich — 2022-10-16 21:14:50 UTC

Google Forms to Use for Formative Assessment

jgingerich — 2022-11-28 15:48:59 UTC

jgingerich — 2023-09-27 18:00:21 UTC

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jgingerich — 2023-10-06 19:21:23 UTC

Build it Together: Co-Constructing Success Criteria with Students

jgingerich — 2025-10-12 18:28:27 UTC

During the Lesson Check for Understanding

cbkinzer — 2025-10-13 16:46:50 UTC

I appreciate learning more about formative assessment to check student understanding of material before or after the material is taught. In the future I will take the article recommendation of polls and use it to assess what the group overall understands without singling out students since it does not require names on the Mentimeter website. I will also continue to use Google Forms for recommendations regarding formative assessments and utilize more of the Google Classroom applications. Overall this article had some good insight into FA.

Google Forms to Use for Formative Assessment

jleavitt17 — 2025-10-13 16:48:13 UTC

This resource provided several good points about what a formative assessment is and how we should use it to inform our instruction. The author quoted John Dewey, who said "We don't learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.". This quote resonated with me, because how often in our classrooms are we really taking that time to pause and reflect? I would like to spend more time allowing my students that "breather" to really think about their learning and give me a chance to reflect on my instructional practices. I hope to be able to use several of the pre-made forms in this article.

Gabby's Summary

gjjohnson8 — 2025-10-13 16:48:32 UTC

My key take away from the resources I watched was to not grade everything but to give meaningful feedback and use the students to help with that. Not everything has to fall on you as the teacher. Verbal feedback can be better in the time that is allowed.

Key Takeaway

jspencer143 — 2025-10-13 16:48:45 UTC

I learned about how formative assessments can also have students reflect on their own learning. I can adapt future classes based on students telling me what they learned, what they wonder, and how this information connects to other things they have learned.

Malm Key Takeaway Activity 1 - Oct 13

bmalm — 2025-10-13 16:48:50 UTC

The key I am taking away from this first lesson focused on Formative Assessment, is that the value cannot be overlooked. More important than just a grade, Formative Assessment should be presented in a variety of Formats, both engaging the student and providing clarity to the teacher for what feedback and adaptations need to take place.

Krista Steele

ksteele65 — 2025-10-13 16:53:41 UTC

In summary, assessment and feedback can feel like a lot of work and behind-the-scenes load from teachers. However, formative assessment can also be placed in the hands of students and their peers and it can be built in an even more engaging way.

Key Takeaway

cpeay2 — 2025-10-13 16:53:44 UTC

My key take away after reviewing these resources was that I am spending too much time on formative assessments or that sometimes I assign them and do not have the time to review them before the next lesson. There were so many tips on here about how I can be more effective and efficient.

Takeaway

shill335 — 2025-10-13 16:54:24 UTC

Formative assessments are not grade-based, nor are they intended to evaluate students in finality. They are intended to have students show their knowledge so that it can be reformed or augmented in some way(s).

Takeaway: Student Assessment

rcarper1 — 2025-10-13 21:30:44 UTC

When students understand what is expected/required from them, the teacher is more likely to get the students "true knowledge" instead of potentially getting students just not understanding the requirements.

Abby Frazier

afrazier61 — 2025-10-13 21:36:27 UTC

My key takeaway’s from the resources I was able to view is the importance of feedback for students, and the impact that feedback leaves. A small note might be just what they need to get over the hill of knowing vs. understanding.

Izzy Mullikin

imullikin — 2025-10-13 21:37:29 UTC

The biggest takeaway from today's learning is that formative assessments should be used to adapt instruction and provide feedback. Formative assessments should teach students how to identify where they are at and where they need to go.

Dylan Landrus

4thLandrus — 2025-10-13 21:38:48 UTC

My key take away from the resources includes the following: Post lesson reflection opportunities allow students to assess their own learning and identify potential misconceptions.