305 Understanding assessment in education and training
a) A brief explanation of the key features for each of the
following types of assessment;
• initial assessment
• formative assessment
• summative assessment
Initial Assessment:
Initial assessment is the assessment that is conducted at the beginning
of a course to determine the learner's baseline knowledge and skills.
The key features of an initial assessment include:
It can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses of the learner.
It can be used to identify individual learning needs of learner.
It may include tests and interviews.
Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment is an assessment that is conducted during a
course to monitor the learner's progress, followed by feedback to
improve their learning. The key features of a formative assessment
include:
It can be used to identify areas of strength and weakness.
It can be used to change learning styles to meet the learner's
needs.
It may include quizzes, discussions and assignments followed by
feedback.
Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment is a final assessment that is conducted at the
end of the course, to evaluate the learner's overall performance
throughout the course. The key features of a summative assessment
include:
It is used to provide a final grade or certification.
It may include exams and portfolios.
