Differentiate between summative and formative evaluation.

Summative evaluation and formative evaluation are two distinct approaches used in educational assessment to measure student learning and provide feedback to improve teaching and learning processes. Here are the key differences between summative and formative evaluation:

Summative Evaluation:

1. Purpose: The primary purpose of summative evaluation is to assess student learning outcomes and achievement levels at the end of a specific instructional period, such as a unit, course, or academic year.

2. Timing: Summative evaluation typically occurs after the completion of instruction and learning activities, often in the form of final exams, standardized tests, or culminating assessments.

3. Focus: Summative evaluation focuses on determining the overall effectiveness of instructional methods and curriculum in achieving learning objectives. It provides a summary or final judgment of student performance.

4. Feedback: Summative evaluation provides feedback to students about their overall performance and mastery of content. However, the feedback is often retrospective and may not immediately inform instructional improvement.

5. Accountability: Summative evaluation is often used for accountability purposes, such as grading, reporting student progress, and making decisions about promotion or graduation.

Formative Evaluation:

1. Purpose: The primary purpose of formative evaluation is to monitor and assess student learning progress during instruction to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing improvement.

2. Timing: Formative evaluation occurs throughout the instructional process, allowing for ongoing feedback and adjustments to teaching strategies and learning activities.

3. Focus: Formative evaluation focuses on providing feedback to both teachers and students to guide instructional decision-making and support continuous improvement in learning outcomes.

4. Feedback: Formative evaluation emphasizes timely and specific feedback aimed at addressing student misconceptions, adjusting instructional approaches, and promoting student engagement and understanding.

5. Learning Improvement: Formative evaluation is designed to enhance learning outcomes by identifying learning gaps early, adjusting instructional strategies based on student needs, and fostering a growth mindset among students.

In summary, while both summative and formative evaluation are essential components of the assessment process, they serve distinct purposes and occur at different stages of the instructional cycle. Summative evaluation emphasizes assessing final outcomes and making overall judgments about student achievement, while formative evaluation emphasizes ongoing assessment and feedback to support learning improvement and instructional effectiveness. Both approaches play complementary roles in promoting student success and informing educational practice.