What is the primary purpose of using formative assessments in education?

The primary purpose of using formative assessments in education is to gather feedback and improve learning. Formative assessments are designed to provide instructors and students with information about student understanding throughout the learning process. These assessments can take various forms, such as quizzes, discussions, or projects, and are often used as a tool for ongoing feedback rather than as a means of summarizing student performance at the end of an instructional period.

The key aspect of formative assessments is their focus on identifying areas where students may be struggling and determining what changes in teaching strategies might be needed to enhance student learning. This continuous feedback loop allows both educators and learners to make adjustments to their teaching and study methods, respectively, promoting a deeper understanding of the material.

Final grading, competition among students, and solely assessing memorization skills do not align with the developmental and support-oriented goals of formative assessments. Instead, the emphasis is on fostering a growth mindset, encouraging a learning environment that values improvement and the ongoing development of skills and knowledge over time.