frequency of formative and summarative assesments
How frequently should these types of assesments occur? One would assume that if it is really frequent then it would take away time from teaching. Also, aren't tests and assignments supposed to gauge how students are processing the information?
Hi Melonie- You are very welcome! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Michael and Susan,
Thank you for your posts. These forums reinforce the assessment(s) currently being utilized in my online courses. While students do take a final exam after 12 weeks of fundamental math review, they also benefit from small weekly quizzes.
In addition, I assess them via weekly discussion forums. The discussion board is a GREAT place to check for understanding. Often when one student needs to be "redirected" regarding content, many other students benefit as well.
I feel very good about our course design now; thanks!
Melonie Sebring
I give formative assessments once or twice during every lesson. I tend to give summarative assessments at the end of mini-units, typically 1 week long.
HI Neil - Thanks for your post to the forum in which you made an improtant point. Assessments are only as good as what you do with them after they have been administered! If there is no discussion/feedback post-assessment they provide no help for student improvement. Best wishes- Susan
As a whole it seems as though so much importance is put onto evaluation grades. I try to instill in my students that regardless of how you perform on an assessment it is what you have learned from the process that is important. Post-assessment discussion is where complete understanding can be obtained.
HI James - I agree completely - we need to be able to check that we are on the right path before we go totally off course with our students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi:
Test can be referred ot as "down time" as they do take up valuable class time, however, we think that the value exceeds the cost.
Hi Michael - Thanks for your post to the forum which is a great question! Formative evaluations are ideally frequent but short - e.g. a short weekly quiz. It serves to give the students some frequent feedback so they don't get too far off track and also serves to give you a sense of how effectively you are teaching. Summative evaluations are longer and are generally tests like the mid-term or final. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
