What does 'formative evaluation' refer to in the context of teaching?

Formative evaluation in the context of teaching refers to ongoing assessments that take place throughout the learning process. This type of evaluation is designed to monitor student learning and provide continuous feedback that instructors can use to enhance their teaching strategies and improve student outcomes.

By employing formative evaluation techniques, educators can identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust instruction accordingly. This might involve quizzes, observations, discussions, or other activities that inform both the teacher and the students about current understanding and skills. The emphasis is on using the information gathered to shape ongoing instructional practices rather than simply measuring the end results, which is what summative evaluations do at the conclusion of a course or semester.

In contrast, final assessments, standardized tests, and random quizzes each serve different purposes, primarily focusing on assessing knowledge at a particular point in time without the iterative feedback component that characterizes formative evaluation.