Reflection Question 2: What is the difference between formative feedback and summative feedback?
As an educator, it is our responsibility to teach the material in a manner in which each student comprehends and understands it. The best way to make sure that the delivery of the information is being understood is through assessment or feedback. Feedback is the return of information regarding the success of each step in the instructional process. Feedback can be measured through a number of assessments, other than just test and quizzes. Writing prompts, white board review, and interactive games on the computer can all be considered forms of assessment. As educators it is our responsibility to assess our students in order that we make sure they understand the material being presented. The two major forms of assessment feedback are Formative feedback and Summative feedback.
Formative feedback occurs during the event or process of learning, rather than at the end. Formative feedback is constantly occurring in many different shapes and forms. Formative feedback does not have to always be a long or generic assessment. Many times educators will simply pass out prompt cards and have students answer each question as they leave the class. According to Lever-Duffy and McDonald, “Formative feedback ensures a way to facilitate, the continuous flow of information as a system is implemented so that corrections and adjustments can be made while the process unfolds” (48). Formative feedback is occurring during each step of the learning process, and is a great tool for teachers to make sure that their students are understanding the material every step of the way.
The alternative to Formative feedback is Summative Feedback. This form of feedback and assessment is measured at the end of the learning process, as opposed to throughout the process in formative feedback. Summative feedback allows the teacher to make adjustment to the process for future use when using Summative feedback. Generally Summative feedback is measured through test and/ or quizzes. Summative feedback can be used in any setting of teaching.
Lever-Duffy and McDonald believe that feedback, “encourages a teacher to create a dynamic instructional process that remains responsive even as you are actively engaged in planning and implementing instruction” (49). Overall in my two years as a middle school teacher I believe the best method for feedback is formative. There is not a feeling worst than when you complete an instructional period and then you assess and realize that the students have not understood the material as successfully as you first hoped. Therefore I feel it is best to gather feedback throughout the process so that you may know if your students do not completely understand early on. Through this method you can make the appropriate adjustments in order that your students understand the material which you hope to deliver.
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I agree with my group member in that formative feedback is useful, and, the use of both feedback methods enables a teacher to assess a student’s progress. Where formative feedback allows a teacher to adjust the content of the daily lesson plan, and add or omit certain aspects of the lesson plan, technologies utilized, or teaching methodology, based on the students needs or suggestions, summative feedback provides an overall assessment of the students knowledge and cognitive skills in the subject matter. Some students have the all answers in class, however, can not reproduce the work on their own, and as such, summative feedback is the true measure of the student’s progress. Where, on the contrary, formative feedback gives a daily overall view of the students understanding and the teacher’s performance. A teacher may change, or adjust a lesson plan several times to best accommodate students in the environment provided by the school district, while still even the most versatile teacher whom may be known as one of the best of teachers, will have students that refuse to learn. Therefore, summative feedback may sometimes be the only way to demonstrate a student who truly needs help, and the student who truly understand the content of the lesson.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your reflection which is complete and informative. I also enjoyed reading the comments from your peer.
ReplyDeleteA very good, solid and informative post, Reed.
ReplyDeleteI see the necessity for both types of feedback. The regular feedback provided by formative assessments can really help an instructor tell where his students are in the lesson. This feedback provides information on how well the information is being absorbed by the students and which students seem to be having problems. Also, this information can be shared with students and parents to that they may know if they are doing well or if they are having problems in a particular area. I believe formative feedback is the key to individual student success.
However, while far from unimportant to the students, it seems to me that summative feedback is found to be most useful by the instructor. While the summative feedback does provide valuable information about student progress throughout the entire semester, this information is not very valuable to the student since his/her grade is already posted. However, the instructor can take this information and use it to adjust lesson planning by means of looking at what worked, what didn't and why that was.