Implementing Impactful Formative Assessment Strategies in the Classroom

Formative assessment is recognized as one of the most effective instructional strategies, as it can be applied throughout every stage of the learning process, from activating prior knowledge to monitoring progress and speeding up the learning journey. Through a blend of theory and hands-on activities, participants explored practical ways to enhance their awareness of student understanding using simple, effective assessment and feedback techniques.

​The new edition of the course “Effective formative assessment and feedback management in education​” took place in Palermo from 06/04/2025 to 12/04/2025. The participants came from all across Europe with Annika Liane Schöllermann from Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Gymnasium in Germany, Natalia Ramón Leblanc from Lycée Costebelle in France, Elina Kuittinen, Lea Räisänen and Lotta Pulkkinen from University of Eastern Finland, Rantakylännormaalikoulu in Finland, Marisa do Carmo Felgueiras Andrade and Diana Rute Guimarães Dias de Sousa from Agrupamento de Escolas Alexandre Herculano in Portugal and Eveline De Vuyst from Sint-Paulusinstituut in Belgium.

​The course began by activating participants’ prior knowledge of formative assessment. They were invited to share what they already knew about the topic, as well as their learning intentions for the training week. The first focus area was the assessment cycle and the difference between formative and summative assessment. Through group brainstorming and interactive digital quizzes, participants discovered the key differences between these two types of assessment, aiming to identify their respective goals and characteristics. This also created a valuable space for participants to share challenges, raise questions, and express any uncertainties related to the topic.

​Feedback, recognized as one of the most important yet challenging formative assessment strategies, was another key focus of the week. Through group discussions and role-plays, participants explored the do’s and don’ts of effective feedback, working together to develop both a practical protocol for giving constructive feedback and a mindset for receiving it with openness. An engaging challenge encouraged participants to reflect on the importance of fostering a growth-oriented classroom culture—one where feedback is not viewed as criticism or punishment, but as an opportunity for growth and an expression of care.

​Participants continued by exploring key tools and types of formative assessment that can be seamlessly integrated into the teaching process. Particular attention was given to digital tools that enable teachers to monitor students’ progress and understanding in real time. These tools also support the use of entry and exit tickets, helping to engage students at the start and end of a lesson while encouraging reflection on their learning journey.

​In addition to teacher-student feedback, the potential for students to serve as valuable instructional resources for one another was also explored. Participants engaged with practical strategies to foster peer learning and feedback, recognizing its role in deepening understanding and collaboration. They shared their experiences using rubrics to clearly communicate assessment criteria—empowering students to take ownership of their learning while creating a structured and supportive environment for peer assessment.

​As the course neared its conclusion, we focused on self-assessment in order to strengthen both students’ and teachers’ ability to self-monitor and reflect. Cultivating self-awareness and self-motivation was highlighted as a powerful way to boost student engagement and ownership of learning, while also supporting teachers in evaluating and refining their own instructional practices. With these ideas in mind, participants engaged in a final self-reflection on the week’s training and shared their goals and intentions for applying what they had learned moving forward.

Discover more about this course at https://www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/formative-assessment.html
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