Understanding the distinction between formative and summative assessment is crucial for effective teaching and learning. Formative assessment is designed to monitor learning during instruction and provide ongoing feedback to both learners and instructors. Its primary goal is to improve teaching and learning, not to assign grades. Examples include in-class polls, short quizzes on key concepts, think-pair-share activities, or even a brief written reflection on a recent lecture. In contrast, summative assessment aims to evaluate learning at the end of an instructional unit or period. Its purpose is to summarize learner achievement and assign grades. Summative assessments are typically more formal and high-stakes, such as final exams, comprehensive projects, or research papers. Recognizing when to employ each type allows you to guide learning effectively throughout a course and accurately measure their mastery of the material at its conclusion.

Summative assessments that are different from traditional exams offer rich opportunities for learners to demonstrate their learning in diverse and meaningful ways. E-portfolios allow learners to curate a collection of their work over time, showcasing their growth and mastery of learning outcomes through carefully selected artifacts and reflective narratives. Group projects assess learners' ability to collaborate, problem-solve, and apply their knowledge in a team setting. Peer reviews not only evaluate learners' understanding of the material but also develop their critical thinking and constructive feedback skills as they assess the work of their peers. Finally, self-reflections encourage learners to critically analyze their own learning process, identify areas of strength and growth, and articulate their understanding of the course content in a personal and insightful manner. These alternative approaches can provide a more holistic and nuanced evaluation of teaching and learning by capturing skills and knowledge that traditional exams might miss.

Self and peer assessments must be implemented intentionally and clearly to maximize their benefits. For self-assessment, providing clear rubrics or criteria aligned with learning outcomes is essential, enabling learners to objectively evaluate their own work. Guiding questions that prompt reflection on strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement can also enhance the process. Encouraging learners to connect their self-assessment to future learning goals promotes metacognition and ownership of their development. For peer assessment, establishing clear guidelines for constructive feedback is paramount. Training learners on how to provide specific, actionable, and respectful critiques can mitigate potential biases and ensure the feedback is valuable. Utilizing structured feedback forms with targeted questions related to the assignment's criteria can also streamline the process and ensure consistency. Anonymity can sometimes foster more candid feedback, while opportunities for learners to discuss and synthesize peer feedback can further deepen their understanding. Integrating these assessments thoughtfully within the course structure, rather than as isolated activities, reinforces their importance in the learning process.

AI and automation are increasingly playing a role in grading, offering potential benefits like increased efficiency and consistency in evaluating course work. Canvas has tools that can automate the scoring of objective assessments like multiple-choice quizzes and even provide feedback on more complex assignments. Platforms like Turnitin offer features that use AI to assist with grading, grouping similar answers for efficient feedback and identifying potential issues like plagiarism. 

However, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations and potential pitfalls of relying solely on AI for grading. Concerns around bias in algorithms, the inability to assess nuanced understanding or creativity, and the potential for over-reliance on automated feedback at the expense of meaningful human interaction are important considerations. While AI can be a valuable tool to streamline certain aspects of grading, maintaining a human element in the assessment process remains essential for ensuring fair, comprehensive, and pedagogically sound evaluations of student learning.

For more information regarding AI and student assessment, please check out this article titled: "Don’t use GenAI to grade student work".

Developing effective online assessments requires careful planning and consideration of the unique affordances and challenges of the digital environment. The process typically begins with clearly defining the learning outcomes being assessed, just as with in-person assessments. However, the online format necessitates thoughtful selection of question types that are appropriate for remote delivery and can reliably measure the intended skills and knowledge. This might involve a mix of automatically graded questions (e.g., multiple-choice, matching) and open-ended questions (e.g., essays, problem-solving) that require manual grading. Consideration must also be given to strategies for maintaining academic integrity, such as using question banks, randomizing question order, setting time limits, and potentially employing proctoring software. Providing clear instructions, ensuring the assessment platform is user-friendly and accessible, and offering opportunities for practice or low-stakes formative assessments beforehand are crucial steps in creating a fair and effective online assessment experience for learners.

Even the best assignments can have shortcomings if the grading criteria is not fair and transparent. This process begins with clearly articulating the learning outcomes for each assignment and the course as a whole. The criteria should directly align with these outcomes, specifying the knowledge, skills, and abilities learners are expected to demonstrate. Using rubrics is a highly effective strategy, as they break down the assignment into specific components and provide detailed descriptions of the performance expectations for each level (e.g., excellent, proficient, developing). Sharing these rubrics with learners well in advance of the assignment allows them to understand the instructor's expectations and guides their learning and preparation. Furthermore, being explicit about the weight or percentage each assignment contributes to the final grade ensures transparency in how the overall course grade is calculated. Open communication and a willingness to clarify grading criteria can foster trust and reduce anxiety, ultimately promoting a more supportive and equitable learning environment.

Providing learners with quality and timely feedback significantly impacts their learning and development. Feedback should be more than just a grade; it should be specific, constructive, and directly linked to the learning outcomes and grading criteria. Highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement empowers learners to understand what they did well and what they need to focus on in the future. Timeliness is equally crucial. Feedback received promptly allows learners to apply it to subsequent assignments and correct misunderstandings before they become ingrained. Whether delivered through written comments, audio or video recordings, or in-person discussions, thoughtful and timely feedback fosters a growth mindset, encourages self-reflection, and ultimately contributes to deeper learning and academic success.

Embracing feedback surveys offers an invaluable opportunity to gain insights into the learner experience and continuously refine courses and teaching practices. These surveys provide a direct line of communication, allowing learners to share their perspectives on what's working well and areas where improvements could be made. By thoughtfully analyzing feedback – considering both the positive and constructive comments – you can identify patterns and trends that might not be apparent otherwise. This data can inform adjustments to course content, pedagogical approaches, assessment methods, and even the overall classroom environment. Providing multiple opportunites and methods to receive feedback can help develop the rapport needed to ensure that the feedback you receive is meaningful.