Formative evaluation aims to provide feedback during instruction to improve teaching and learning. It involves regularly assessing student understanding of topics as they are taught, providing feedback to students on their progress, and informing teachers on the effectiveness of their instructional methods. The feedback from formative evaluation helps teachers modify their lessons to better meet student needs and helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses to improve their learning. Some key aspects of formative evaluation include dividing subject content into logical units, assessing student understanding after each unit, and using the results to provide reinforcement or remedial support.

1. Formative Evaluation
Dr.G.Jaganmohana Rao
Faculty of Education
MITE, Kohima

2. Evaluation:
Evaluation is a Continuous process; it forms an integral part of the
total system of education, and is intimately related to educational
objectives. It exercises a great influence on the pupils 'study habits and
the teachers' method of instruction and thus helps not only to measure
educational achievement, but also to improve it. The techniques of
evaluation are the means of collecting evidence about the student’s
development in desirable directions.
Definition:
Mehrens and lehmann – evaluation is professional judgment or a
process of that allows one to native a judgment about the divisibility of a
value of a measure.
Evaluation = Measurement + Value judgment

3. Purposes of Evaluation:
To provide information for grading, reporting to parents and promoting
students
To evaluate the effectiveness of a single teaching method or to appraise
the relative worth of several methods.
To motivate the student.
To select student for the courses
To evaluate the entire educational institution and to show how various
of its aspects could be improved.
To collect information for effective Educational and Vocational
Counseling.

4. Formative Evaluation:
Formative evaluation aims to gain quick feedback about the
effectiveness of current instructional strategies with the explicit
goal of enhancing teaching during the target course. The focus
of formative evaluation is on soliciting feedback that enables
timely revisions to enhance the learning process.
Formative evaluations may be conducted at any time
throughout the instructional process to monitor the value and
impact of instructional practices or to provide feedback on
teaching strengths and challenges.

5. Nature of Formative Evaluation
1. Formative evaluation means the learning progress during
teaching.
2. It is informing students of their progress during the instruction.
3. The topics in a subject are divided into sub-topics or sub-units in
a logical and psychological order.
4. After completion of each sub-unit, evaluation is done to know the
success of teaching and assimilation of learning materials by the
pupils.
5. This provides feedback both to the pupils and the teacher.
a)Feedback to the pupils provides reinforcement of successful learning and identifies the
specific learning weaknesses for which remedial measures are to be taken
b)Feedback to the teacher provides information for modification of instruction/
methodology of teaching

6. Advantages: There are a number of advantages when the formative evaluation is
considered.
 Develops knowledge
 Plans for the future
 Continuous improvement
 Achieves successful outcomes
 Provides quick feedback
 Setting goals and plans
Disadvantages: With the various advantages, there are also a few disadvantages
when the formative evaluation is considered.
Time-consuming and requires resources
Trained and qualified professionals are required
Develops challenges
Results must be related to implementation