There are formal assessments and informal assessments. Formal assessments are summative and they are standardized. This means that the test is going to be the same for everyone who takes it and will be given in the same manner. These tests are designed to assess what the student knows and has acquired(overall achievement). Informal assessments are not standardized, results are not compared to others, they tend to be giving in the form of an interview or by observing. These assessments should be used to direct instruction.
An example of a formal assessment that we have this semester was the Brigance. The Brigance is a test that supposed to be given the same way to every student. Depending on the students score, the student receives a grade equivalent. The results for this test are used to determine the overall achievement of a student. An example of an informal assessment that was given this semester was the Learning Styles Inventory. It was given in the form of a survey and the student had to fill out a form online that then gave feedback as to what type of learner he was. This informal assessment is meant to direct instruction around the student.
Here is a link to more about formal and informal assessments:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/formal-versus-informal-assessments
An example of a formal assessment that we have this semester was the Brigance. The Brigance is a test that supposed to be given the same way to every student. Depending on the students score, the student receives a grade equivalent. The results for this test are used to determine the overall achievement of a student. An example of an informal assessment that was given this semester was the Learning Styles Inventory. It was given in the form of a survey and the student had to fill out a form online that then gave feedback as to what type of learner he was. This informal assessment is meant to direct instruction around the student.
Here is a link to more about formal and informal assessments:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/formal-versus-informal-assessments