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How Do We Include Students in the Formative Assessment Process?

By Larry Ferlazzo — January 06, 2012 1 min read
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Matt Townsley asks:

Carol Boston says “Black and Wiliam (1998b) define assessment broadly to include all activities that teachers and students undertake to get information that can be used diagnostically to alter teaching and learning. Under this definition, assessment encompasses teacher observation, classroom discussion, and analysis of student work, including homework and tests. Assessments become formative when the information is used to adapt teaching and learning to meet student need.” Where and how do we include students in the formative assessment process? What is the role of technology in this feedback cycle?

Formative assessment is a critical element in an effective classroom, and is also a buzzword that is often misused. Thanks, Matt, for raising this important question.

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