Double Entry Journal #11

What is formative assessment? Formative assessment is an assessment that aids in student learning and knowledge. It also puts student learning at the center. Helps students learn about the goals for a specific lesson.

What is the CENTRAL purpose of formative assessment? To find out what the students know and what they might need help with during or before the beginning of a lesson. For the students to see how their learning is different from other students.

Connect a best practice in formative assessment to one research-based strategy. Setting objectives, students could write an entrance goal of what they might think an assignment might be about based on the title and then an exit slip on what it was about and what they had to do to accomplish the assignment. Students can then focus on the real task of what is to be taught, with some insight based on the name and title.

Give an example of how a specific assessment can be used formatively and summatively. A KWL chart would be a good example students could fill out what they already know based on not doing the assignment at all or mid way through. Students then could fill out the what they learned part as a final example of what they learned. Or entrance and exit slips. What the student knows before the lessons begin and what they learned at the end of class to exit.

Give an example from your field placement related to formative assessment and timing. I had students tell me what they thought happened in Haiti and why Haiti was in need of help. By doing this I could eliminate some of the materials I had to cover because what was the point in teaching that to them if they already knew it. Saved time and gained extra work time.

What are some strategies to help formative assessment be more effective when providing students with feedback? High-quality formative assessment provides enough detail to give students a clear idea of what, why, and how they are to proceed as they continue to work on an assignment. But they need to be made managable into learnable chunks so that student is not overwhelmed.

Name two advantages to high quality formative assessment. Shows teachers what students are struggling and what students are gaining knowledge. Students who experience formative assessment transfer knowledge from class to class because they understand the given area of knowledge.

What are some challenges to implementing high quality formative assessment?Linking assessment to teaching so that both teachers and students benefit, recognizing the need for a variety in assessment for different types of learners, and adjusting assessment so that students more beyond so student excell at their work.