Types of Assessments-2
There is so much information available today; the Internet facilitates our need to seek out anything we want or need to know. Part of the role as an instructor centers on teaching students how to identify important information and concepts. The online learning environment provides us the opportunity to guide students through the learning process and document course learning objectives mastered. So where should we start when thinking about what assessments to use? Where should we include the assessments in our online course to generate maximum learning results?
Let’s do a brief review of two of the different types of assessments that can be used in a course.
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Formative Assessments |
Summative Assessments |
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Goal |
Used to inFORM you about the progress your students are making towards achieving the intended learning outcomes. |
Used to SUMMarize the overall achievements students make towards the learning outcomes |
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Timing (When to use this method?) |
Think of these as ‘checkpoints’ occurring during/throughout instruction. Results provide ongoing feedback to help identify any misconceptions or learning gaps. Helps you recognize where students are struggling, adapt future content, and address any problems immediately. |
Given at the conclusion/end of instruction. Results are used to provide evidence that your students have actually achieved the learning outcomes set out for them, and are ready to leave the topic area or progress beyond the course |
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Grading/ Point Value |
Typically low-stakes (low or no point value). Therefore, a relatively non-threatening way for students and instructors to gain immediate feedback areas of strength and weaknesses |
Typically high-stakes (contributing to a majority of the students’ final course grade), demonstrating overall student success at achieving the learning outcomes |
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Examples (Note: There may be overlap - some assessments can be considered BOTH formative or summative, depending on how and when they are used) |
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