Why do we use Formative & Summative Assessments?
Formative Assessments:
Why do we use Formative assessments? Formative assessments is made use of to collect a lot of data or information on the students. In turn, this information can be used to "improve instruction and student learning whilst it is happening" (The Glossary of Education Reform, 2014)This is not done by means of testing the students, but purely modifying the way you teach and how you would change certain things within a subject.
Basically making a constant change in order to better the learning experience for the students as well as yourself as the educator. The teacher would have to invest quite a bit of time for this, but it is totally worth the time since you would see how your students are growing and developing, thus "formative assessments help you track how student knowledge is growing and changing in your classroom in real-time." (Kampen, 2020). All of the small bits of information can be very helpful to the students as it will be easier for them to retain that information so that when the big tests and big assessments are conducted, it would be easier for them to do those summative assessments.
Summative Assessments:
Now...Why do we make use of Summative Assessments? "Summative assessments can serve as a guide to improving teaching methods. We all use different teaching methodology within the classroom. Summative assessments can help us collaborate and improve teaching methods from year to year." (Wagner, 2015) This is so true and teachers, especially those who are open to trying new things to improve their teaching would it naturally as time progresses. The Summative Assessments would help with the improvement of the teaching course and subject as a whole (this also includes the curriculum).
Sometimes there are learning gaps and this assessment form helps narrow that margin between those learning gaps.
