What is the idea of diagnostic-, formative- and summative assessment? by Jukka Niinimäki

continuous assessment

2025-11-19 10:44:17 UTC

danielgeorgescu2 — 2025-11-19 10:44:25 UTC

Identifies learners’ existing knowledge, skills, strengths, and learning difficulties, and skill deficiencies before new instruction begins. It helps teachers plan instruction that meets the individual needs

2025-11-19 10:44:26 UTC

a preliminary check used before or between learning episodes

2025-11-19 10:44:59 UTC

Formative assessment is an ongoing, informal process during instruction that supplies continuous feedback, so teaching and learning strategies can be adjusted

pre-test post test for example medical calculations

2025-11-19 10:44:59 UTC

2025-11-19 10:45:00 UTC

prior knowledge, skills before teaching begins

2025-11-19 10:45:28 UTC

Summative assessment is the final, usually graded evaluation

Diagnostic assessment refers to see the entry point. At what level is the student when he joins and what are the learning gaps. Some pre-assessment exams or interviews will help in such cases.

2025-11-19 10:45:32 UTC

2025-11-19 10:45:33 UTC

ongoing learning

2025-11-19 10:45:37 UTC

It happens BEFORE learning starts.

To identify students' prior knowledge, strengths, weaknesses, and misconceptions. It helps the teacher plan the lesson to fit the students' level.

danielgeorgescu2 — 2025-11-19 10:45:44 UTC

Evaluates what learners have achieved after instruction has been concluded. It measures learning outcomes against a set of standards or objectives

2025-11-19 10:46:17 UTC

Assess students during the teaching and learning process.

2025-11-19 10:46:28 UTC

measure learning outcomes after learning process.

samreen2571 — 2025-11-19 10:46:34 UTC

To understand the current knowledge, skills, and attitudes of learners about the subject matter. It helps the course designers and course supervisors to structure the course to meet their needs, and the needs of the society.

danielgeorgescu2 — 2025-11-19 10:46:41 UTC

For example, short quizzes, peer reviews, teacher feedback, or classroom discussions.

I can use this after a practical class to see assess if students have understood the practical concepts

2025-11-19 10:46:42 UTC

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Summative assessments conduct at the final stage of the course.

2025-11-19 10:47:12 UTC

It happens during the learning process. and to monitor student learning and provide feedback to improve performance. It is low-stakes (often no grade or low weight). It is assessment for learning

Formative assessment is continous. The student is perhaps given multiple assignments over the duration of a course and we could use some platform like moodle, to understand the learning, submission of assignments, sticking to deadlines etc.,

2025-11-19 10:47:19 UTC

2025-11-19 10:47:23 UTC

Diagnostic assessment:
A check before learning starts to see what students already know and what they need help with.

Formative assessment:
Checking learning during the lesson to see how students are doing and to guide improvement.

Summative assessment:
An evaluation after teaching to measure what students have learned overall.

danielgeorgescu2 — 2025-11-19 10:47:26 UTC

For example, final exams, end-of-term projects, or standardized tests are used.

2025-11-19 10:48:13 UTC

after the learning period, we need to evaluate student learning against a standard or benchmark. It is high-stakes and results in a final grade. It is "Assessment OF Learning."

samreen2571 — 2025-11-19 10:48:23 UTC

to help the learners improve their current performance through constructive ongoing feedback. this could ne enhanced through supervisor, peer, and self. Reflection on learning is a significant element of the assessment.

2025-11-19 10:48:48 UTC

Identify the prior learning of the students

This is the holistic one and the final stage. Here the grading is done. It will be a cumulation of earlier assessments.

2025-11-19 10:48:59 UTC

samreen2571 — 2025-11-19 10:49:17 UTC

Provides an understanding of the subject matter and skills relevant to implementing in real-world situations.