Week 3 – Formative and Summative Assessments – Carolina Ruiz

The major difference I see in formative and summative assessments is that formative is more flexible while summative assessments are more structured. Formative also provides ways for students to improve. I see formative as less stressful for students because this just points out what needs to be improved. Does the teacher need to re-teach? How well are students doing? Who understands and who doesn’t? These are questions that strick formative assessments. Summative (as most students are used to) are final exams, midterms, projects, etc. These are high stake assessments. This form of assessment assesses the student and not how the student is learning. Summative is left for the end to evaluate students. I am not the best test-taker, so I side with formative more than summative. What these both have in common that they look out for the best interest for students. These are meaning to assess and improve anything a student is having trouble with.