What distinguishes formative feedback from summative feedback?

Formative feedback is centered on the process of learning and is designed to encourage ongoing improvement during the learning journey. It typically occurs during the instructional period, allowing learners to engage with the material and receive input on their understanding and performance before a final assessment. This type of feedback is constructive in nature, aiming to guide students in refining their skills and knowledge as they progress.

This distinction is significant because it highlights the role of formative feedback in promoting a growth mindset among learners. It provides opportunities for correction and enhancement of skills, leading to greater mastery of the subject matter. The focus is on fostering development, which contrasts sharply with other types of feedback that may evaluate performance only after completion, rather than throughout the learning process.

In context to the other options: formative feedback does not evaluate the final product alone, nor does summative feedback primarily focus on ongoing improvement. Summative feedback generally offers insights about performance after the learning has occurred, though not in a way that promotes continuous refinement during the process. Hence, the choice that aligns correctly with the definition and purpose of formative feedback is the one emphasizing its role in continuous improvement.