Formative and summative Evaluation

Formative and summative Evaluation

The resources in this section compare the two, complementary functions of evaluation. Formative evaluation is typically conducted during the development or improvement of a program or course. Summative evaluation involves making judgments about the efficacy of a program or course at its conclusion.

BASIS FOR COMPARISON	FORMATIVE evaluation	SUMMATIVE evaluation
Meaning	Formative evaluation refers to a variety of assessment procedures that provides the required information, to adjust teaching, during the learning process.	Summative evaluation is defined as a standard for evaluating learning of students.
Nature	Diagnostic	Evaluative
What is it?	It is an assessment for learning.	It is an assessment of learning.
Frequency	Monthly or quarterly	Term end
Aims at	Enhancing learning	Measuring student's competency.
Goal	Monitor student learning.	Evaluate student learning.
Weight of grades	Low	High

Formative evaluation

A set of formal and informal assessment methods undertaken by the teachers at the time of the learning process is known as Formative evaluation. It is a  part of the instructional process, which is undertaken by the teachers, with an objective of enhancing the student’s understanding and competency, by modifying teaching and learning methods.

Formative evaluation attempts to provide direct and detailed feedback to both teachers and students, regarding the performance and learning of the student. It is a continuous process, that observes student’s needs and progress, in the learning process.

Common formative assessments include:

• Quizzes
• Games
• Projects
• Presentations
• Group activities

Characteristics Formative Evaluation:

1. Formative evaluation is used during the teaching learning process to monitor the learning process.

2. Formative evaluation is developmental in nature. The aim of this evaluation is to improve student’s learning and teacher’s teaching.

3. Generally teacher made tests are used for this purpose.

4. The test items are prepared for limited content area.

5. It helps to know to what extent the instructional objectives has been achieved.

6. It provides feedback to the teacher to modify the methods and to prescribe remedial works.

7. Only few skills can be tested in this evaluation.

8. It is a continuous and regular process.

9. It considers evaluation as a process.

10. It answers to the question, whether the progress of the pupils in a unit is successful.

Summative evaluation

Summative Assessment refers to the evaluation of students; that focuses on the result. It is a part of the grading process which is given periodically to the participants, usually at the conclusion of the course, term or unit. The purpose is to check the knowledge of the students, i.e. to what extent they have learned the material, taught to them.

Summative Assessment, seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the course or program, checks the learning progress, etc. Scores, grades or percentage obtained to act as an indicator that shows the quality of the curriculum and forms a basis for rankings in schools.

Common summative assessments include:

• Tests
• Final exams
• Reports
• Papers
• End-of-class projects

Characteristics Summative Evaluation:

1. Summative evaluation is used after the course completion to assign the grades.

2. Summative evaluation is terminal in nature. Its purpose is to evaluate student’s achievement.

3. Generally standardized tests are used for the purpose.

4. The tests items are prepared from the whole content area.

5. It helps to judge the appropriateness of the instructional objectives.

6. It helps the teacher to know the effectiveness of the instructional procedure.

7. Large number of skills can be tested in this evaluation.

8. It is not regular and continuous process.