The Ultimate Guide: What Is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Assessments?
As educators, we are constantly using assessments to evaluate student learning and understand how we can support them in the future. However, with so many different types of assessments, it can be confusing to determine which one to use in which situation. In particular, formal and informal assessments are two common types that are often misunderstood. In this ultimate guide, we will explore the key differences between formal and informal assessments and when to use each one.
What are Formal Assessments?
Formal assessments are assessments that are standardized, meaning that they have been developed and tested in a consistent way so that they can be given to all students. These assessments are usually given at specific points in time, such as the end of a unit or school year. Formal assessments can include tests, quizzes, and exams that are designed to measure a student’s knowledge and skills in a particular subject. They are usually graded with a numerical score or letter grade, and the results are often used to make decisions about a student’s progress or eligibility for certain programs.
Examples of formal assessments include state standardized tests, such as the SAT, ACT, and Smarter Balanced assessments, as well as teacher-prepared exams based on established curricula. These assessments are often used to determine grade-level proficiency and readiness for college or career.
What are Informal Assessments?
Informal assessments, on the other hand, are assessments that are more flexible and open-ended. They are designed to gather information about a student’s learning in a less structured way and can be used at any time throughout the school year. Informal assessments can include observations, interviews, checklists, and portfolios that are used to gather information about a student’s understanding of a topic and their progress in developing specific skills.
Examples of informal assessments include running records in reading, anecdotal notes in writing, and exit tickets for content areas like science or social studies. These types of assessments are often used as formative assessments, meaning that they are used to provide immediate feedback to teachers and students about learning progress and areas for improvement.
When to Use Formal and Informal Assessments
Knowing when to use formal and informal assessments is crucial to the success of your classroom. Formal assessments are typically used in situations where an objective measure of student performance is necessary, such as for program eligibility or to evaluate a student’s understanding at the end of a unit. Informal assessments are typically used in situations where immediate feedback about a student’s understanding is necessary, like at the end of a lesson or to monitor progress towards a larger goal.
For example, a standardized test might be used to determine a student’s grade-level proficiency in reading, while a running record might be used to determine a student’s reading level and specific areas where they need more support. In general, formal assessments are better for evaluating broad knowledge and skill, while informal assessments are better for evaluating specific knowledge and skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between formal and informal assessments is crucial to effective teaching and student learning. Formal assessments are standardized and usually given at specific points in time to measure broad knowledge and skill, while informal assessments are more flexible and open-ended and can be used at any time to monitor progress towards specific goals. As educators, being able to use both types of assessments effectively will help ensure that our students are getting the support they need to succeed.
