Formative feedback

Definition

Formative feedback is a type of assessment that provides students with constructive information about their performance and learning progress during the learning process. This feedback aims to help students improve by identifying strengths and areas for growth, making it essential for guiding instructional adjustments and enhancing student learning outcomes. It is often ongoing and can be delivered in various forms, such as verbal comments, written evaluations, or peer assessments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Formative feedback helps identify what students understand and where they struggle, allowing teachers to adjust their instruction accordingly.
2. It can be given in real-time during lessons, through quizzes, or as part of homework assignments.
3. The effectiveness of formative feedback relies on its specificity; detailed comments are more helpful than general statements.
4. Students who receive regular formative feedback tend to show greater academic improvement compared to those who only receive summative assessments.
5. Incorporating self-assessment into formative feedback encourages students to reflect on their own learning and take ownership of their progress.

Review Questions

• How does formative feedback differ from summative assessment in terms of purpose and timing?
  • Formative feedback is focused on improving student learning during the instructional process, providing ongoing insights into student understanding and performance. In contrast, summative assessment occurs at the end of a learning period and evaluates overall achievement against predetermined standards. While formative feedback aims to inform teaching adjustments in real-time, summative assessments serve as final evaluations of student learning.
• What role does specificity play in the effectiveness of formative feedback for student learning?
  • Specificity in formative feedback is crucial because detailed comments provide students with clear guidance on what they did well and where they need improvement. Vague or general feedback can lead to confusion and hinder progress, as students may not know how to address their weaknesses. When feedback is precise, it empowers students to make targeted adjustments in their learning strategies.
• Evaluate the impact of incorporating self-assessment practices in conjunction with formative feedback on student engagement and ownership of learning.
  • Incorporating self-assessment alongside formative feedback significantly enhances student engagement and ownership of their learning journey. When students reflect on their performance and set personal goals based on feedback, they become more invested in their education. This reflective practice fosters a growth mindset, encouraging them to view challenges as opportunities for improvement. Overall, it creates a proactive learning environment where students take charge of their educational outcomes.

Related terms

Summative Assessment: Summative assessment refers to evaluations that occur at the end of an instructional period to measure student learning and determine if educational goals have been met.

Feedback Loop: A feedback loop is a continuous process where information about performance is collected and used to inform future actions or improvements in learning.

Assessment for Learning: Assessment for learning encompasses practices that focus on using assessment data to inform teaching and improve student learning, emphasizing the formative aspect of feedback.