Reflection Writing on UNIT II

We were introduced to the second unit, Formative Assessment, its meaning, purposes, and types. Before beginning with any topic, we did an activity where we jotted down some feedback we had received during our school or college days from our teachers or tutors. This activity served as an introduction to the topic of formative assessment. It made me remember the days when our teachers provided feedback on our work so that we could improve and learn better. I also wrote about a time when a teacher gave me feedback on how I could improve my essay writing. I remember that after the feedback, it helped me a lot in writing better essays. The activity also included sharing the feedback we received with the class, and through this sharing session, I found out that feedback can be both positive and negative and that it can have a big impact on students’ lives.

We also learned about self and peer assessment and practiced it through an activity where we graded our own reflections. Then we did peer assessments by grading a classmate’s work and giving them thoughtful and constructive feedback. This activity felt challenging to me at first because I was used to receiving grades, not giving them. However, after learning how self and peer assessment help in building self-awareness and a collaborative environment, I was able to give useful feedback to help others improve.

We also covered the topic of classroom assessment techniques through an interesting activity involving role play. The different techniques included minute papers, 3-2-1 exit tickets, the muddiest point, fish pond, and others. These low-stakes methods provide quick insights into student understanding, making learning more responsive and engaging. Through this activity, I learned that we can assess students not just by checking their work and correcting it, but also through fun and interactive activities. The most important lesson I learned from this was that feedback is a crucial part of assessment. Providing well-structured and supportive feedback motivates students and helps them improve over time. Instead of only grading, teachers can also guide students by giving helpful feedback.

Another lesson I learned from this unit is that formative and summative assessments are different but can be used together. Formative assessment is carried out during the learning process and helps identify students’ strengths and weaknesses through tools like self-assessment, peer feedback, and quick classroom activities. It encourages students to take an active role in their learning. In contrast, summative assessment happens at the end of a learning period and is used to evaluate overall learning, such as through exams or final projects. Through a class debate, I learned more about both types of assessments. What I found most interesting was that summative assessments can also be used formatively by analyzing the results, giving feedback, and helping students reflect and improve. Understanding these two types of assessment changed my perspective, I now see assessment not just as grading, but as a way to support and motivate students. I also learned that using summative assessments formatively can be effective, even though it may have challenges like time constraints and needing more resources. At first, I found it difficult to understand the difference between formative and summative assessment and the idea of using summative assessments in a formative way. But through class debates and discussions, I was able to overcome this confusion. In the future, I would like to explore more and do independent study to apply these practices in my teaching.

In conclusion, this unit helped me understand the true purpose of assessment not just for grading, but for supporting student learning. Through different activities like giving and receiving feedback, self and peer assessment, and role plays, I learned how important good feedback is in helping students grow. I faced challenges, especially in understanding the difference between formative and summative assessments, but class discussions and debate helped me overcome them. I also learned that both types of assessments can be used together to improve learning. This unit has changed how I view assessment, and I’m excited to use what I’ve learned in my future teaching.