Difference Between Formative And Summative Assessment
Evaluation is very important in education, as it allows to analyze, assess and reflect on the results achieved throughout the teaching-learning process. Today, there are multiple ways to evaluate. In this article we are going to explain the difference between formative and summative assessment.
Both types of evaluation are valid and useful. But, in the current educational system, it is convenient to bet on training, since it adapts to the educational needs of all students.
Difference between formative and summative assessment
Before seeing what formative and summative evaluation consist of, it is necessary to be clear about the concept of educational evaluation. Thus, according to Mercedes Babío Galán and others, it can be defined as:
Formative assessment
The formative assessment is used to obtain information on the level of understanding that each of the students has achieved throughout the teaching-learning process.
This information is used to analyze, enrich, plan and improve educational actions, so that the intervention is adjusted to the needs of the students, so that everyone can achieve the maximum level of performance in the different areas of knowledge.
The consequences of using formative assessment in education are:
- The teaching-learning process is regulated, adapting to the characteristics of the students.
- Both teachers and students receive feedback on the teaching-learning process.
- Teachers improve their teaching and pedagogical practices.
- It involves a personalized follow-up of each student.
- Recognize and attend to the different rhythms and ways of learning.
- Each student is actively involved to achieve certain objectives. That is, they are responsible for their own learning.
- Increases student academic performance.
Some examples of formative assessment are:
- The evaluation rubrics.
- The observation scales.
- The tests or tests that measure the initial level.
- The checklists.
- The key questions.
Summative evaluation
Summative assessment is the one used in traditional teaching. It consists of assessing the level of achievement of the students in relation to the acquired learning and transforming this assessment into grades or grades, which are attributed based on a comparison with the group average. It is about carrying out a final evaluation, without taking into account the entire process, to verify the results obtained at the end of a block, a stage, a lesson, a didactic unit, etc.
The consequences of using summative evaluation in education are:
- It is possible to know and certify the level of mastery and knowledge of the students about a specific content.
- Students know their achievements at the end of the teaching-learning process.
- Students study for a final grade, so they tend to push themselves at the last minute.
- The specific educational needs of each student cannot be identified.
- Teachers cannot improve their educational actions throughout the process, but must wait to perfect their intervention in the following academic period.
Some examples of summative evaluation are:
- The combination of essay and multiple choice questions in a test.
- Oral tests, such as expositions or presentations.
- Midterm exams.
- Final exams.
In conclusion
By way of conclusion, it can be said that formative assessment seeks to assess the entire teaching-learning process, while summative assessment seeks to assess a final result. Therefore, the latter fits into a traditional school model.
But, currently, there is a new conception related to education, so it is more advisable to use formative assessment tools or instruments. In fact, this type of evaluation is ideal for:
- Assess skills in education.
- Attend to the diversity of the students, taking into account their abilities and personal characteristics.
