Assessment Strategies for Student Learning.
Formative assessment - In-class; takes the pulse of the class; not high stakes; helps students learn or helps students reinforce what they have learned
Summative assessment - takes place at the end of the course; usually graded and therefore high stakes.
Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs for short)
- in-class exercises that helps instructors teach or reinforce a concept in class
- collects feedback during class
- provides gauge for instructors on what students have learned in class (met learning outcomes). Indirectly, it helps us reflect on our teaching strategies and strengthen our teaching skills.
- for single-session classes, CATs can serve both as formative and/or summative assessments (for that session).