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.
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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.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Gamified peer feedback: Leveling up through constructive critique

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

CBE skill review with a Mastery Check rubric

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Gamified quiz for competition, debate, and learning

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Low (<10 min)

Cultural Reflection Discussion

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Social-Emotional Learning based Peer Review

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Strengthening research quality through structured peer feedback

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Low (<10 min)

Unpacking Misconceptions through Discussions

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Low (<10 min)

Exploring Intersectionality Through Interactive Video

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Low (<10 min)

Self-Reflection: Connecting Learning to Personal Growth

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Low (<10 min)

Co-Designing the Course: Interactive Syllabus Feedback

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Low (<10 min)

Designing Personalized Learning Through Student Choice

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Low (<10 min)

Reflection on Socratic discussions with guided rubric

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Reflection and peer exchange around an ethical dilemma

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Using critical discussion to build upon arguments

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Interactive case study discussion around an ethical dilemma

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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Showcasing evolving perspectives through revision, peer critique, and reflection

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Transformative Learning: Group discussion and self-reflection

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Challenging cognitive biases through reflection and peer feedback

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Exploring Hofstede's dimensions of culture through discussion

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Holistic team collaboration evaluation

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Interactive course syllabus

Collaboration
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Peer workshop: Personal essay for creative writing

Collaboration
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Role play self-assessment using SPIN Selling methodology

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Peer Review: Role play self assessment

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Create Final Assessment Instructions using GRASPS Framework

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Real-world problem-solving lab

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Social annotation of diverse perspectives

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Peer-Learning: Discuss your Frayer Frame

Collaboration
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Critical analysis of GenAI content

Problem-solving
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Peer review of AI-generated content

Problem-solving
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Low (<10 min)

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

Knowledge uptake
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

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

Problem-solving
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Application exercise for TBL (with AI Discussion Coach)

Problem-solving
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Team formation for TBL

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Strengthening soft skills through peer feedback

Problem-solving
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Low (<10 min)

Perspective swap discussion

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Getting organized! Selecting the topic for the project

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Interdisciplinary project: Group member assessment & reflection

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Self Reflection of AI-generated Content

Critical thinking
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Low (<10 min)

Creating effective student groups

Critical thinking
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Low (<10 min)

Individual and group quiz in team-based learning

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Creating effective student groups

Collaboration
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Prompt-based open discussion

Critical thinking
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Low (<10 min)

Low-stakes knowledge check

Problem-solving
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Low (<10 min)

Instructor feedback on oral presentations

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Self-assessment on skills | Reflection moments

Critical thinking
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Interactive lecture presentation

Problem-solving
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Guided reading comprehension

Knowledge uptake
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Intermediate (10-30 min)

Individual and group quiz in team-based learning

Problem-solving
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High (>30 min)

Self-assessment on deliverables

Knowledge uptake
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High (>30 min)

Pre-class preparation on a document

Collaboration
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High (>30 min)

Pre-class preparation on a video

Collaboration
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High (>30 min)

Pre-class preparation on an audio file

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Instant AI feedback on students' essays

Knowledge uptake
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Low (<10 min)

Instant AI feedback on research paper

Knowledge uptake
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Low (<10 min)

Introduction to course syllabus – Comprehension exercise

Knowledge uptake
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Low (<10 min)

Group collaboration evaluation for graduates

Collaboration
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Low (<10 min)

Undergraduate group evaluation

Collaboration
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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.
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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

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Teacher Feedback

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Self-Assessment

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AI Feedback

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Quiz

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Peer Review

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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.
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