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Correct Answer: making comments that influence revision
formative assessment is a key part of the educational process, focusing on the creation of feedback that helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement as they are still engaging with the learning material. unlike summative assessments, which evaluate student learning at the conclusion of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark, formative assessments are more informal and ongoing. they are intended to promote further learning and improvement, rather than just to audit what a student has learned at the end of a course or unit.
in the context of assessing a student paper, formative assessment could manifest as making comments that influence revision. this means providing constructive feedback that guides the student on how to improve their draft. instead of merely pointing out what is wrong, formative feedback should be actionable and specific, perhaps suggesting new resources, pointing out inconsistencies in arguments, or encouraging deeper analysis where necessary. this type of feedback enables students to reflect critically on their own work and to make revisions that enhance the quality of their paper.
the other options listed—assigning a grade, referring the student to an internet article, and keeping your assessment to a minimum—do not align with the principles of formative assessment. assigning a grade is typically part of summative assessment. it evaluates the student’s performance but does not provide specific insights or steps for improvement. referring a student to an internet article might be helpful but lacks the personalized guidance needed to improve specific aspects of their paper. similarly, minimizing assessment feedback denies students the detailed constructive criticism required for learning and improvement.
therefore, the best form of formative assessment for a student paper is to make comments that influence revision. this approach not only helps students identify what needs to be improved but also supports them in learning how to make those improvements. this can dramatically enhance their learning process, making them more engaged and capable learners.
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