What type of assessment informs on-going progress during the learning process?

Formative assessment plays a crucial role in the learning process because it is designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be utilized to improve teaching and student understanding. These assessments occur during the instructional process and are often informal, such as quizzes, discussions, or in-class activities. The key purpose of formative assessment is to gather information about student performance in real-time, allowing educators to adjust their teaching strategies and provide support where needed.

Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, formative assessments focus on the process and progress of learning as it happens. This helps to identify areas of strength and weakness, guiding both students and teachers in optimizing the learning experience. Final exams and cumulative assessments also assess knowledge at specific points but do not serve the ongoing monitoring and adaptive learning functions that formative assessments do. Therefore, formative assessments are essential for creating a responsive and effective learning environment.