Formative feedback

Definition

Formative feedback is a process that provides ongoing information about student performance and learning, allowing both teachers and students to identify areas for improvement. This feedback is typically given during the learning process rather than at the end, which helps shape teaching methods and supports students' growth. It can be verbal or written and aims to enhance understanding and skills through constructive criticism and guidance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Formative feedback is essential for guiding students' learning by highlighting strengths and identifying specific areas for improvement.
2. It encourages a growth mindset by helping students understand that skills can be developed through effort and persistence.
3. Formative feedback is most effective when it is timely, specific, and actionable, allowing students to make immediate adjustments to their work.
4. Teachers can use various methods to provide formative feedback, including observations, quizzes, discussions, and written comments.
5. Incorporating student self-assessment into the formative feedback process fosters greater ownership of their learning and encourages reflective practices.

Review Questions

• How does formative feedback enhance the editing and proofreading process for students?
  • Formative feedback plays a crucial role in the editing and proofreading stages by providing students with specific insights about their writing. It helps them recognize grammatical errors, unclear phrases, or structural issues while they're still working on their drafts. This ongoing feedback allows students to refine their work progressively, rather than just receiving a grade at the end. By actively engaging with formative feedback, students become more skilled at self-editing in future writing tasks.
• In what ways can formative feedback be differentiated to meet the diverse needs of learners?
  • Differentiating formative feedback involves tailoring it to address individual student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. Teachers can provide personalized comments based on each student's performance and specific goals, or use varied formats like oral feedback for auditory learners and written notes for visual learners. Additionally, offering options for peer review allows students to engage with different perspectives, making the feedback more relevant and impactful for each learner's unique needs.
• Evaluate the impact of formative feedback on performance-based assessments in educational settings.
  • Formative feedback significantly enhances performance-based assessments by promoting continuous improvement and skill mastery. It allows educators to give real-time insights during the assessment process, guiding students toward achieving their learning objectives effectively. This approach encourages collaboration between instructors and learners, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the final evaluation. Ultimately, this ongoing dialogue about performance fosters a deeper understanding of content and improves overall student outcomes.

Related terms

Summative assessment: An assessment conducted at the end of a learning unit to evaluate student learning against a standard or benchmark.

Peer review: A process where students assess each other's work, providing feedback that can help improve understanding and skills.

Scaffolding: A teaching method that provides support to students as they learn new concepts, gradually removing assistance as they gain independence.