Formative Assessment supported by FeedbackFruits

Transform learning into a journey of empowering growth, where timely feedback and reflection inspire students to reach their fullest potential.
Author: Jonathan Trujillo, Digital Learning Innovation Manager, Idaho Brigham Young University
Jon holds a B.S. in Biotechnology from Brigham Young University - Idaho and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. With 10 years of classroom experience and 6 years in instructional design and educational technology, he currently serves as the Learning Innovation Manager at BYU-Idaho.
Auth Image
Download Guide
Hero Image

What are formative assessment?

Formative assessment is an ongoing process used by educators to guide student learning, provide timely feedback, and adjust teaching strategies to meet individual learner's needs. It emphasizes growth over grades, encouraging students to reflect on their progress and take an active role in their own learning. By promoting continuous improvement through targeted feedback, formative assessment creates a dynamic, student-centered learning environment that fosters deeper understanding and mastery.

Why formative assessment?

Formative assessment significantly enhances student achievement, particularly when combined with timely, actionable feedback (Hattie & Timperley, 2007). It promotes deeper understanding, increases motivation, and helps close learning gaps by addressing misconceptions early. Nicol and Macfarlane-Dick (2014) emphasize the role of technology in modern formative assessment, showing how digital tools enable immediate feedback and support self-regulated learning. Additionally, West (2019) demonstrates that technology-driven formative assessment allows for real-time insights into student progress, offering personalized learning experiences and fostering greater engagement.
Book a demo

7% higher scores on summative assessments

This study's results showed that students in the intervention group, who experienced changes in formative practices, outperformed the control group by nearly 7% on summative assessments one year later.
‍
Person Image
Catarina Andersson, et al., 2017
The impact of formative assessment on student achievement: A study of the effects of changes to classroom practice after a comprehensive professional development programme

Boosted Performance and Lower Stress

Effect of an active learning methodology combined with formative assessments on performance, test anxiety, and stress of university students.
‍

‍
Person Image
L. T. Cardozo, et al., 2020
Effect of an active learning methodology combined with formative assessments on performance, test anxiety, and stress of university students

Enhanced Performance and Confidence

Formative feedback significantly boosts student confidence and academic performance. In a study, 89% of students reported improved grades after receiving timely feedback on drafts, highlighting the effectiveness of regular, constructive feedback in higher education.
Person Image
Michael Demehin, 2024
Exploring the Impact of Formative Feedback in Higher Education: A Socio-Empirical Analysis using the Sociological Framework of Latent and Manifest Functions
Visual

How does FeedbackFruits support formative assessment?

Formative assessment can be easily applied by using various FeedbackFruits activities that enable real-time feedback, reflection, and personalized learning. Educators can use Peer Review and Group Member Evaluation to provide students with actionable feedback from peers, encouraging reflection and self-assessment.

Learning activities like Interactive Document and Comprehension allow for timely, targeted feedback on individual student progress, fostering deeper understanding and growth. To enhance student engagement, Assignment Review allows instructors to provide personalized, ongoing feedback on assignments, which students can use to improve their work before final submission. By utilizing these learning activities, educators can create a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes continuous improvement, enhances student engagement, and helps close learning gaps.

Get started with formative assessment using our pre-made learning templates

These templates—designed by experienced educators—offer proven structures for implementing formative assessment. Simply select a template, customize it, and launch engaging activities in minutes.
Browse all templates
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Developing critical writing skills through peer review and reflection

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Building your own team structure with interactive document

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Collaborative audio task: the power of emphasis

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Group member evaluation and reflection

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Exploring active and technology enhanced learning through interactive document

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Real-time group member evaluation during group presentation

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Self-assessment of values, learning, and skills for future career decisions

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Reading and annotating sample place narratives

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Analyzing leadership and emotional intelligence through social annotation

Knowledge uptake
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Case study analysis and peer feedback

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Peer review for policy analysis and evaluation

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Reflection on learning objectives with the SOLO rubric

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Analyzing a topic through interactive video

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Reflecting on intersectionality with interactive document

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Providing feedback on learning portfolio presentations

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Group peer feedback: Let’s keep it fair & fun!

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Gamified team based concept defence

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Gamified peer feedback: Leveling up through constructive critique

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

CBE skill review with a Mastery Check rubric

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Deepening critical understanding through discussion

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Gamified quiz for competition, debate, and learning

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Cultural reflection discussion

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Social-emotional learning based Peer Review

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Strengthening research quality through structured peer feedback

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Unpacking misconceptions through discussions

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Exploring intersectionality through interactive Video

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Self-reflection: Connecting learning to personal growth

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Co-designing the course: Interactive syllabus feedback

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Designing personalized learning through student choice

Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Reflection on socratic discussions with guided rubric

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Reflection and peer exchange around an ethical dilemma

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Using critical discussion to build upon arguments

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Interactive case study discussion around an ethical dilemma

Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Showcasing evolving perspectives through revision, peer critique, and reflection

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Transformative learning: Group discussion and self-reflection

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Challenging cognitive biases through reflection and peer feedback

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Exploring Hofstede's dimensions of culture through discussion

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Holistic team collaboration evaluation

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Interactive course syllabus

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Peer workshop: Personal essay for creative writing

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Role play self-assessment using SPIN Selling methodology

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Peer Review: Role play self assessment

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Create final assessment instructions using GRASPS framework

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Real-world problem-solving lab

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Social annotation of diverse perspectives

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Peer-learning: Discuss your Frayer Frame

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Critical analysis of GenAI content

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Peer review of AI-generated content

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

CBE peer review: Skills in action (Video or podcast-based)

Knowledge uptake
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Share and discuss solutions for TBL (with AI reflection coach)

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Application exercise for TBL (with AI Discussion Coach)

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Team formation for TBL

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Strengthening soft skills through peer feedback

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Perspective swap discussion

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Getting organized! Selecting the topic for the project

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Interdisciplinary project: Group member assessment & reflection

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Self Reflection of AI-generated Content

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Creating effective student groups

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Individual and group quiz in team-based learning

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Creating effective student groups

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Prompt-based open discussion

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Low-stakes knowledge check

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Instructor feedback on oral presentations

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Self-assessment on skills | Reflection moments

Critical thinking
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Interactive lecture presentation

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Guided reading comprehension

Knowledge uptake
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Individual and group quiz in team-based learning

Problem-solving
Clock Icon
High (>30 min)

Self-assessment on deliverables

Knowledge uptake
Clock Icon
High (>30 min)

Pre-class preparation on a document

Collaboration
Clock Icon
High (>30 min)

Pre-class preparation on a video

Collaboration
Clock Icon
High (>30 min)

Pre-class preparation on an audio file

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Instant AI feedback on students' essays

Knowledge uptake
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Instant AI feedback on research paper

Knowledge uptake
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Introduction to course syllabus – Comprehension exercise

Knowledge uptake
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Group collaboration evaluation for graduates

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Low (<10 min)

Undergraduate group evaluation

Collaboration
Clock Icon
Intermediate (10-30 min)

Instructor feedback on student research paper

Knowledge uptake

Formative assessment, directly within your LMS

FeedbackFruits integrates seamlessly with your Learning Management System, making it simple to incorporate formative assessment pedagogy activities into your existing courses. Whether you teach online, hybrid, or face-to-face, FeedbackFruits ensures that activating student participation is just a few clicks away—no additional overhead, no steep learning curve.
MicrosoftCanvasMoodleBlackboardBrightspace
Microsoft Visual
Canavas Visual
Moodle Visual
Blackboard visual
Brightspace Visual

Explore our free resources about formative assessment

Experiential Learning: a guide

A comprehensive guide to help educators design assessment activities that built upon real-world application, active engagement, and collaboration
Read more

Unlocking student potential with the Applied Soft Skills Pedagogy

This article introduces authentic assessment, an approach that engage students in authentic experiences and measure their performance.
Read more

Fostering Learner Engagement through Self-Assessment

At the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Dr. Gunning and her team implemented a 2-year long, multi-faceted project to prepare students for the world of work and encourage lifelong learning.
Read more

See what FeedbackFruits learning activities can be used to support formative assessment

lca logistics logo

Teacher Feedback

lca logistics logo

Self-Assessment

lca logistics logo

AI Feedback

lca logistics logo

Quiz

lca logistics logo

Peer Review

lca logistics logo

Group Evaluations

See all learning activities

Formative assessment is hard. FeedbackFruits makes it easier.

Unlock the full potential of formative assessment and more with the Learning Design System.
Explore the Learning Design System
CTA Visual
Footer background

Get started with FeedbackFruits today

Book a meeting