Most Useful Type of Evaluation for School Practices
Evaluation is a key part of the teaching and learning process. It helps teachers understand how well students are learning and also helps improve the teaching methods. Among the different types of evaluation, formative evaluation is considered the most useful for school practices. Let us understand why.
What is Formative Evaluation?
Formative evaluation is a type of assessment that is done during the learning process. It gives regular feedback to both teachers and students. This helps in finding out what is going well and what needs to improve. The main goal is not to give marks or grades but to improve learning and teaching.
Why Formative Evaluation is Most Useful in Schools
1. Helps in Identifying Learning Gaps
With formative evaluation, teachers can easily find out which students are struggling and what topics are difficult. For example, if many students score low on a quiz, the teacher knows that topic needs more explanation.
2. Provides Regular Feedback
Since formative evaluations are done regularly, students get quick feedback. This helps them correct their mistakes early and stay on track.
3. Encourages Active Learning
When students know they are being assessed regularly, they pay more attention in class and become more involved in their learning.
4. Supports Better Teaching
Teachers can change their teaching style based on how students are performing. If most students are not understanding a lesson, the teacher can try a new method.
5. Reduces Stress on Students
Unlike final exams, formative assessments are usually low-stakes. This means students are not under a lot of pressure and can focus more on learning.
Examples of Formative Evaluation in Schools
- Short quizzes after a lesson
- Classroom discussions
- Homework assignments
- Group activities and projects
- Teacher’s observation during class
Comparing with Summative Evaluation
Summative evaluation is also important. It is done at the end of a term to measure what students have learned. Examples include final exams and board exams. However, summative evaluation comes too late to help in the learning process. It only shows the result, not the progress.
Conclusion
While both formative and summative evaluations are necessary, formative evaluation is more useful in day-to-day school practices. It helps improve both teaching and learning by giving regular feedback. It also makes the learning process less stressful and more engaging. Therefore, formative evaluation should be a regular part of school education.