What is the role of formative assessments in the classroom?

Formative assessments play a crucial role in the classroom by serving as a teaching tool during the learning process. These assessments are designed to monitor student learning in real time, allowing educators to gather feedback and make informed decisions about instruction. By using formative assessments, teachers can identify areas where students may struggle and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly to better meet the needs of individual learners. This ongoing feedback loop encourages student engagement and helps improve understanding and retention of material.

The focus is on continuous improvement rather than final evaluation, which contrasts with the roles of evaluation that are typically associated with summative assessments, such as grading at the end of a term or categorizing students by skill level. This proactive approach fosters an environment in which learning can be enhanced as students receive immediate guidance and support based on their performance.