Formative Assessment Activities That Engage Students and Support Success

Abstract

As we navigate past the pandemic, enhancing student learning through innovative methods is crucial. Literature has shared that focusing on innovative ways to include formative assessment, is one way to address student learning and success (Barkley, 2010). This article explores classroom assessments: summative and formative assessments. Summative assessments are periodically administered throughout a course to gauge students' learning progress within a set timeframe. However, this paper’s primary focus is on formative assessments, which encompass low-stakes assignments that engage students and provide valuable feedback to both instructors and students, identifying comprehensive challenges for adaptive teaching. Research suggests that students can work towards their learning objectives through in-class practice and low-stakes assignments, fostering motivation and enhancing engagement in a stress-free environment (Garrison, 2007). This article delves into formative assessment activities, such as flipped assignments, interactive engagement tasks, test reviews, and student reflections. These activities offer constructive feedback to instructors and students while fostering engagement. The positive feedback received from participating students underscores their effectiveness.