Formative and Summative Assessments Deanna E. Mayers Director of Curriculum Blendedschools.net

Overview This session will compare and contrast the differences in formative and summative assessments and discuss when and why to use each type of assessment. The session will also demonstrate how to use Blackboard tools to create each of these assessment types.

Comparing the Two Summative Assessment Formative Assessment A process not a particular event (test) Teachers use information to make adjustments that will improve student achievement Student looks at assessment to make changes in how they are trying to learn Occurring at the end of a learning episode—for example, at the end of a course

Blackboard Tools Summative Assessment Formative Assessment Assignment Tool Journal, Wiki, Blog Test Manager

Hot to Assess Higher Order Thinking Skills by Susan M. Brookhart Summative Design performance tasks or test items that require students to use the targeted thinking and content knowledge. Occurring at the end of a learning episode— for example, at the end of a course Hot to Assess Higher Order Thinking Skills by Susan M. Brookhart

Formative Assessment Research supports the conclusion that formative classroom assessment is one of the most powerful tools a classroom teacher might use. Read more here: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/106006/chapters/The-Case-for-Classroom-Assessment.aspx Characteristics of sound feedback include that it should be frequent, give students a clear picture of their progress and how they might improve, and provide encouragement. 

Test Manager Tests are knowledge / skill - based but well-written questions can require higher-order thinking Tests are self-scoring (no essay or short answer questions).

Phrasing your Questions Use simple vocabulary Avoid using too many negatives in a question (What might not have happened had the Allies not won the war)? Avoid using incomplete sentences (The Declaration of Independence was signed in the year _____.) Avoid using “all of the above” or the words always / never. Make answer choices similar length.

Creating a Test Go to the location you want the test Click Create Assessment button then Test Title of the test is the column in your grade center Description (outside of test) Instructions (inside the test) Submit

Self Assessments

Test Canvas Now, you have a blank Test Canvas let’s create a questions: Create a question Question Text Read through the options area, each question type has different options Tag the correct answer Feedback – correct and incorrect Categorize your test if you want Add notes just to the teacher there Click submit and your question is created

Assignment Tool Practice assignments – allow multiple attempts and record the highest Feedback to instruct and redirect understanding in individual assignments

Blogs, Wiki, or Discussion This are all strong formative assessment tools Students not only get feedback from you but also from their peers Collaboration helps students clarify their thinking

Journal Teacher/Student interaction Students can respond to demonstrate understanding with no threat of embarrassment Teachers can provide individualized feedback to redirect understanding or affirm understanding

References How to Assess Higher Order Thinking Skills by Susan M. Brookhart Transformative Assessment by W. James Popham Assignments Matter, ASCD 2012, Eleanor Dougherty