Drawing on his experience with the Indian Satellite Instructional TV Experiment, the author discusses the type of training program needed by those conducting formative evaluation in that context. (BD)

Mathematics curriculum-based measurement (M-CBM) is one tool that has been developed for formative evaluation in mathematics. This study examines what constructs M-CBM actually measures in the context of a range of other mathematics measures. Results indicated that a two-factor model of mathematics where Computation and Applications were distinct…

Outlines procedures involved in the formative evaluation of training materials in a draft stage before they are produced in their final form. The project manager's role is described, guidelines for conducting the tests and determining revisions are given, and worksheets to use in the process are provided. (LRW)

Discusses formative evaluation for multimedia instruction and presents guidelines for formatively evaluating multimedia instruction concurrent with analysis, design, and development. Data collection criteria that include group involvement, data collection strategies, and information to be gathered are presented, and rapid prototypes and…

A telecourse on "Growing Old in a New Age" had three components: television program, printed support materials, and faculty participation. Formative evaluation and pretesting helped shape the final product. (SK)

Presents a model for instructional design that highlights formative evaluation as the central process. Other models of instructional design are discussed; data collection methods are examined; the evaluator's role is considered; and the recursive nature of the design process is emphasized. (seven references) (LRW)

An evaluation of the 1980-90 employment projections in the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" shows that most of them were on target, if somewhat conservative. The impact of technology was generally underestimated. (JOW)

The Texas Teacher Appraisal System (TTAS) permits formal formative evaluation in which observable behavior data are used for self-renewal by the teacher and summative evaluation in which administrative action for promotion purposes may be pursued. This article addresses basic TTAS components, focusing on the provision of collaborative…

Discusses confirmative evaluation of instructional materials and learners that completes a cycle of evaluative steps to maintain performance standards of an instructional system. Formative and summative evaluation procedures for learners and instructional materials are described, examples of confirmative evaluation are given, and types of…

The assessment of students' work falls into two categories: formative assessment whose aims are to inform students of their progress throughout a course of study, and summative assessment, usually taken at the end of a module or program and provides marks or grades for progression to the next stage in education. Examines the process of curriculum…

Although the process of integrating institutional research into professional practice is still in a formative stage, we have learned some lessons from our experience.

This explores the constructivist understanding that shared practitioner research in collaborative online spaces leads to deeper learning. The research was developed within the context of building the National College of School Leaderships (NCSLs) online learning communities. A community and a learning scale, both emerging through grounded…

Problem-solving is one of the main goals in science teaching and is something many students find difficult. This research reports on the development, implementation and evaluation of a problem-solving heuristic. This heuristic intends to help students to understand the steps involved in problem solving (metacognitive tool), and to provide them…

Math teachers from across the country, already facing enormous pressure to raise scores on high-stakes tests, should embrace other, more creative forms of assessment as a way to improve instruction, peers urge. Assessment, far from being a dirty-word, was a major theme at the annual conference of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.…

In this article, the author clarifies formative learning and assessment for persons who are seeking additional ideas for courses, degree programs, or personal career goals. This scholarly review uses published literature to clarify differences between formative and summative assessment and to outline developmental issues that guide constructivist…