Formative Assessments

Course Description

This digital course called Formative Assessments provides basic information about using regular, low-risk assessments throughout the semester to help create a regular feedback loop between you and your students about topics like course materials, learner attitudes, metacognition, and teaching strategies.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this digital course, you will be able to:

• Understand the differences between formative and summative assessments.
• Understand and have examples of formative assessments that can be used to assess student understanding of course materials, and get feedback on learner attitudes and teaching strategies.
• Create a plan for implementing or revising formative assessments in your course(s).

Content

1. What Is Formative Assessment and Why Is It Important?
2. Assess Course Material and Skills
3. Assess Learner Attitudes and Metacognition
4. Get Feedback on Teaching Strategies and Materials
5. Your Action Plan

Expectations

This digital course consists of 5 lessons, which altogether will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. Additional resources or tips for further exploration are provided at the end of each lesson. Each lesson culminates in a knowledge check or assignment to confirm what you have learned and to enable you to move on to the next lesson.

Intended Audience

UMD faculty, staff, and graduate students

Digital Badge

By completing this course, you will earn your Formative Assessments micro-credential. To receive recognition for your efforts, simply explore each page and tackle all knowledge checks and assignments within this course.

This badge is an exciting step towards earning your Active Learning Practitioner meta-credential from the TLTC’s Teaching Academy.