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

2. 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.

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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:
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. 

7. 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).

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Self Assessments

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

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