Understanding Summative Assessment in College Education
In college education, the types of assessment used play a crucial role in evaluating student learning and program effectiveness. Two prominent forms of assessment are formative and summative. While formative assessment is ongoing and used to guide instructional decisions, summative assessment serves to document outcomes and evaluate achievements. This article delves into the nature and purpose of summative assessment in the context of college education.
What is Summative Assessment?
Summative assessment, in the context of college education, is a method of evaluating students' understanding and achievement at the end of an instructional period#39;s teaching or learning cycle. These assessments are designed to measure students' attainment of specific learning objectives and to determine the value or quality of a subject or program. They are typically formal and occur after a specified period, such as at the end of a course, semester, or academic year. Summative assessments serve multiple purposes:
Documenting outcomes: Providing a record of the learning outcomes achieved. Evaluating achievements: Assessing students' mastery of the content. Reporting to stakeholders: Offering feedback to instructors, administrators, and external bodies. Granting agency: Producing documentation required for accreditation and marketing academic programs.Examples of Summative Assessment in College
Colleges and universities employ various summative assessments to evaluate student performance and program quality. A prime example is the end-of-program survey conducted by MIT’s Teaching and Learning Laboratory (TLL) for the Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program. This survey assesses students' perceptions of their ability to meet intended learning outcomes for each of the program’s seven sessions. Annual reviews involve program instructors who analyze survey results in conjunction with students' performance on session assignments.
By utilizing both indirect and direct assessment methods, instructors can make informed decisions about revising course content, learning activities, and related assignments. Indirect assessment includes students' impressions of their learning from the survey, while direct assessment comprises their actual performance on assignments. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded evaluation of student learning and program effectiveness.
The Role of Summative versus Formative Assessments
While formative assessment is focused on guiding instruction through ongoing feedback, summative assessment is more focused on documenting and evaluating. Moreover, the role of summative assessments can be likened to sitting in a car, expecting to arrive at a destination and checking how far one is from the destination. On the other hand, formative assessments are akin to constantly checking street signs and GPS and making appropriate turns.
Dr. Staubs offers an apt analogy when he says, 'Summative assessment is like sitting into a car drive and expect to arrive at the destination or check how far away we are, while formative assessment is constantly checking street signs/GPS and turning appropriately.' This analogy aptly illustrates the nature and purpose of each type of assessment.
By thoroughly understanding and effectively employing both summative and formative assessments, educators can enhance learning outcomes and ensure that college students achieve their academic goals. Whether it is measuring the quality of a subject or program, evaluating individual student performance, or making instructional adjustments, the strategic use of these assessment methods is vital to the success of college education.