Assessment+Using+Technology

**Formative vs. Summative Assessments**
Assessment is an important part of education and a fact of life. Teachers assess students, schools assess teachers, districts assess schools, and states assess districts. Hopefully, each of these entities is also involved in a process of self-assessment, as well.

What most people think of when they hear the term "assessment" is standardized tests or semester exams. These are **Summative Assessments** which are used to form opinions about student achievement and how much knowledge students have retained. These assessments are used to assign grades and scores "for the record".

On the other hand, **Formative Assessments** occur while learning is taking place, and are used to direct the course of learning. Formative assessments can include class discussions, teacher observations, surveys, pre-tests, and quizzes. The results are used not for grading but for determining the path the lesson needs to follow. Formative assessments are perhaps most effective when used for self-evaluation.