The importance of Formative Assessments for Teachers and Students

Essai , 2022 , 8 Pages , Note: Summa Cum Laude

Pédagogie - Tests & Mesures pour l'éducation

The following essay will outline the importance of formative assessments for both teachers and students, and how beneficial using these can be to determine whether students understand the work being taught in your classroom. It is an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning and for teachers to evaluate what strategies worked and what needs to be improved. It is a great tool when you are consistent, as assessments help teachers to group students according to their abilities. Formative assessments include quizzes, worksheets, and additional activities the teacher will use to assess the students and see whether they are able to demonstrate their understanding of a concept taught.

Abstract

The following essay will outline the importance of formative assessments for both teachers and students and how beneficial using these can be to determine whether students understand the work being taught in your classroom. It is an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning and for teachers to evaluate what strategies worked and what needs to be improved. It is a great tool when you are consistent, as assessments help teachers to group students according to their abilities. Formative assessments include quizzes, worksheets, and additional activities the teacher will use to assess the students, and see whether they are able to demonstrate their understanding of a concept taught.

Keywords: Formative Assessments, International Schools, Questionnaires, Worksheets

Introduction

The general practice in most International Schools is to assess students regularly to ensure learning is taking place, and to evaluate whether students have made progress. The following assignment will discuss the importance of Formative assessments from a teacher's and student's perspectives.

Analysis of the following question "formative assessments are more formative for teachers than for students" with examples

The mindset around formative assessments is that teachers know it is ongoing, and a manner of evaluating what the students have learned through their own experiences in your classroom. Ronan (2015) iterates on formative assessments: "Given throughout the learning process, formative assessments seek to determine how students are progressing through a certain learning goal" (p. 2 ). Some teachers feel that through being able to gain information and statistics from their students they can modify the content and curriculum accordingly. Through formative assessments, teachers can get a definite picture and idea of how a student is coping in the classroom. What content needs to be revised and the importance of giving constructive feedback? Carnegie Mellon University (2021) outlines that: "The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. More specifically, formative assessments"(para. 1, p. 1). Most teachers can evaluate which areas need improvement. Teachers value formative assessments because it is the process that is important not the test itself; it is used by both teachers, and students; it usually takes place during instruction; it allows assessment feedback for the teachers, and students, the feedback was given by teachers allow them to adjust, and improve students achievement and the curricular aims (Popham, 2008).

The importance of formative assessments allows teachers to understand the process, and then makes changes to curriculum, content, and study material as required. Popham (2008) outlines that: "Formative assessment is a planned process in which teachers or students use assessment-based evidence to adjust what they're currently doing" (p. 4). Teachers use this evidence to establish what the students understand. Dryer (2019) highlights several ways to obtain formative assessments, examples will include the exit ticket; the whiteboard; corners; think-pair-share; keep the question going; and assessment reflection. Students need to reflect on their learning and it allows teachers to understand what content the students are struggling with, and to put action plans in place to support them further educationally. Education Reforms (2014) confirms that: "Formative assessments help teachers identify concepts that students are struggling to understand, skills they are having difficulty acquiring. " (para. 1). Support is then given by the teachers.

Other strategies as suggested by Thomas (2019) involve entry and exit slips, where students are given opportunities to share, and elaborate on their experiences of their learning; interview assessments, and casual and informal chats, which promotes students to elaborate on their understanding, and learning of the classroom. Great software programs to use will include Padlet, iClicker, and Socrative, which will be beneficial for teachers (Ronan, 2015). It is important to understand why formative assessments are more important for teachers.

Analysis of why is formative assessments important to students, with examples

Students learn better when they know exactly what is expected from them. By evaluating their learning by reflecting on their outcomes, and goals, they can improve on certain areas of the content that were taught, and learned. Through discussions, they can elaborate on their learning, share with their peers what they have learned, and with the help of teachers improve their grades, which inevitably helps them achieve their grades. Carnegie Mellon University (2021) outlines that: "The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning" (p. 1). Through reflection, they can share their experiences, what they know about the subject, and what areas the teacher needs to support them. Reviewing the video that was shared by SiBdoCity Schools (2015), where the teacher iterated: "The students reflected on what they did well, and what they need to get better" (4:05). The students had the opportunity to share with the teacher what they felt they did write, how they could improve their grades, what areas needed improvement. For students, this is very important, because it allows the teacher with the necessary information to support them further through their education. Pre-tests are important for students, as the teachers can conclude information on what the students already know and can make connections with.

Formative assessment allows students to share with their peers, communicate effectively their opinions, ideas, and understanding of a topic, and receive constructive feedback from the teacher. For students, it is important to express their understanding of a topic. Wagner (2015) emphasised that: "Allow us to adapt instruction based on results,Formative assessments: Why is it so important? making modifications and improvements that will produce immediate benefits for our students' learning¨ (p. 1). Students appreciate formative assessments because it provides teachers with evidence regarding their learning, it allows students to track their learning goals, and teachers can give constant feedback, which allows students to be part of the learning journey, and understand their thought process (Wagner, 2015). Formative assessments are very important for students, overall.

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• Cours: Masters in Education (Advanced Teaching for Elementary, Middle and Secondary)
• Note: Summa Cum Laude
• Auteur: Mario Maxwell Müller (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2022
• Pages: 8
• N° de catalogue: V1284950
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346744432
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Formative Assessments, International Schools, Questionnaires, Worksheets