Which method helps in assessing student learning?

Formative and summative assessments are essential components of evaluating student learning because they serve different yet complementary purposes in the educational process. Formative assessments, such as quizzes, discussions, and informal observations, provide ongoing feedback to both instructors and students during the learning process. This allows educators to identify areas where students may be struggling, adjust their teaching strategies accordingly, and enhance student understanding before moving on to more complex topics.

On the other hand, summative assessments are designed to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against a standard or benchmark. Examples include final exams, projects, and standardized tests that assess how well students have mastered the content. When used together, these methods offer a comprehensive picture of student performance and progress over time, making it easier for educators to make informed decisions about instruction, curriculum design, and individual student support.

In contrast, standardized testing, peer evaluations, and participation grades, while valuable, do not provide as holistic an approach to assessing student learning. Standardized testing often evaluates a narrow set of skills within a specific time frame and may not reflect the full range of a student's abilities or knowledge. Peer evaluations can be subjective and vary greatly depending on the peers' understanding and relationship with the student. Similarly, participation