3 Formative/Summative Assessments

Formative

Summative

Exit Ticket/exit slip

Projects

quiz (low stakes)

Exams/Tests

Kahoot!

Performance-based activity

What is it?:Kahoot! is an online game-based platform that uses quiz-style games to facilitate learning and engagement. It can be incorporated into lessons to make assessing student knowledge entertaining for teachers and students.

EXAMPLE

Cons:

• needs technology hardware and internet connection
• seemingly rewards quickest answer, not just the correct answer
• can be distracting

Pros:

• gamify classroom lesson
• provides instant feedback
• increases engagement
• free web tool

What is it?:A culmative assessment that takes place at the end of an important lesson or at the end of the course. They are longer and test student knowledge more thoroughly than quizzes. These have a higher impact on students' grades.

EXAMPLE

Pros:

• valuable metric for assessment and curriculum quality
• holds teachers/schools accountable to the curriculum they teach
• provides a standard for comparability of student achievement

Cons:

• students can potentially be "bad test-takers"
• higher stress/anxiety
• small window to display knowledge acquired over the course of a year (one day performance)

What is it?:An assessment approach that builds on the concepts and skills gained over time. It typically involves more hands-on work and can incorporate real-world applications. Students learn the material by completing the project.

EXAMPLE

Pros:

• can foster creative and critical thinking
• can be used individually or in groups
• can be fun and engaging
• can provide multiple assessment opportunities

Cons:

• harder to assess students if done in groups
• harder to grade, may not have right/wrong answers and effort is accessed as well
• have to provide grading requirements
• typically take longer to complete

What is it?:A brief, informal assessment/reflection your students write, typically at the end of class, in response to the lesson

EXAMPLE

Cons:

• not extensive and shouldn't be used as tests
• may require grading
• may inaccurately assume students are properly consuming content

Pros:

• effective way to end class and instant feedback
• can be used daily/weekly
• can focus on a particular concept or skill
• less stressful than quizzes or tests

What is it?:A fairly short, informal assessment to test student knowledge. It is typically shorter than an exam/test, and normally consists of multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, and short answer. It does not have a high impact on students' grades.

EXAMPLE

Pros:

• can cover more content and allow for better student assessment to adjust instruction
• provides quick feedback
• lower stakes than an exam/test

Cons:

• typically requires grading
• higher stakes than exit slip/ticket
• can create an environment of ceaseless assessment from student perspective

What is it?:A way to assess student knowledge by having them apply their knowledge and skills through a task or performing an activity outside of a traditional exam. Activities are hands on and can involve real-world scenarios.

EXAMPLE

Pros:

• can assess knowledge and skills in a practical context
• can provide meaningful evaluation of student learning
• alternative to standardized testing

Cons:

• time consuming/labor intensive
• grading is subjective
• must be carefully designed