Formative assessment is the ongoing collection of data on whether students are learning. It aids teachers to identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses. When used systematically, these tools enable educators to modify their instructional approaches to foster student learning and optimal achievement. Here, we elaborate on the tools above with classroom examples of how we use them.
1) Student Portfolio
A portfolio is a purposeful collection of a student’s work over time to demonstrate some of their progress and accomplishments.
Implementation Examples:
- During the learning sequence of the term, students collect the essays, journal entries, and creative writing they have done. By the end, they note how they have improved their writing and mark specific aspects that increased (for example, vocabulary use and grammatical correctness).
- In a visual arts class, students include sketches, paintings, and mixed-media projects, matched with reflective notes on techniques learned.
2) Reflective Journals
Journals help students and teachers reflect on their experiences, allowing them to improve their performance.
Implementation Examples:
- After finishing a project, students write about what was challenging, what they learned, and how they could approach a similar task differently in the future.
- Teachers make notes about a lesson, including what went well, what could have gone better, and how to adapt for future instruction.
3) Positive Constructive Criticism
Good feedback is specific, relevant, descriptive, impartial, timely, and work-related rather than person-related.
Implementation Examples:
- Instead of saying: You are bad at grammar, a teacher might say: Your sentence structure is improving. But we work on subject-verb agreement in your next paragraph.
- Feedback should offer a hand for improvement: Consider revising your conclusion to summarize your main points better.
4) Monitoring
Teachers observe students as they perform work, collecting evidence about their skill levels to support them.
Implementation Examples:
- Walk around and observe group work: Students collaborate on a problem, and the teacher walks around and takes notes about student engagement, problem-solving strategies, and communication skills.
- If a student encounters difficulty with a math concept, the teacher sits down alongside them to offer one-on-one support or provide a different explanation of the problem.
5) Debate
These develop skills in critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Implementation Examples:
- Students in a history class debate whether a historical decision was justified. That prompts them to evaluate evidence and express their opinions.
- The teacher evaluates students’ ability to argue logically, use evidence, and respond to counterarguments.
6) Conferencing
It is a private conversation between teacher and student about the learning progress.
Implementation Examples:
- At parent-teacher conferences, the teacher goes through portfolios and explores with parents how the student could improve.
- A one-on-one meeting with a struggling student focuses on finding challenges in reading comprehension and setting small goals.
7) Homework
Homework supports the learning in the classroom and serves as evidence of that learning.
Implementation Examples:
- Give practice problems to reinforce skills taught in class. Go over the homework carefully, pointing out correct approaches and mistakes.
- Students read a passage at home and summarize it, showcasing understanding and higher-order thinking.
8) Instruction Checking Questions (ICQs)
They are specifically used to check students understand what tasks require them to do.
Implementation Example:
- Before launching into a group activity, the teacher asks: Can you tell me what steps we will take to complete this task? If this confuses students, the teacher clarifies directions using reformulated language or visual supports.
9) CCQs (Concept Checking Questions)
We use Concept Checking Questions(CCQs) to check if students understand the concept of a particular vocabulary, grammar, or content.
Implementation Examples:
- After teaching the word exhausted, the teacher asks: Are you full of energy or exhausted?
- After the teacher introduces the present perfect tense, she asks: Have you finished your homework yet? What does this mean?
Reflection and Practical Use
That is what many, if not all, of us are doing — but the fact we are doing it is perhaps the key to the effectiveness of formative assessment. Use these questions to help you reflect on your use of formative assessment:
- How often do I give constructive feedback to my students?
- Do I provide opportunities for self-reflection exemplified through journals or portfolios?
- Are my ICQs and CCQs working effectively to ascertain clarity?
- What are some ways to implement more conferencing 1-on-1 to meet unique student needs?
Considering formative assessments, teachers can create a supportive environment where learners feel challenged and motivated to be successful.
