Which assessment type provides ongoing insights into student understanding?

Formative assessment is aimed at gauging student understanding throughout the learning process rather than at the end of an instructional unit. It involves a variety of feedback mechanisms, such as quizzes, discussions, peer assessments, and observational techniques, which can be used to identify students' strengths and weaknesses in real time. This ongoing interaction allows educators to adjust their teaching strategies and provide support as needed, fostering a more responsive learning environment.

Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate student learning after a unit has been completed and mainly focus on outcomes, formative assessments emphasize the learning process itself. Diagnostic assessments serve to identify specific areas of knowledge and skills before instruction begins, while norm-referenced assessments compare student performance against a norm group and do not focus on ongoing insights. Therefore, formative assessment stands out for its capacity to provide continuous feedback that enhances learning by informing both students and instructors.