It has been said that the moment of truth arrives when it is time to evaluate effectiveness. As part of the instructional process, evaluation should be integrated rather than only taking place at the end of a chapter, unit or lesson. This type of evaluation is called formative evaluation. Formative evaluation occurs during a lesson or set of lessons when teachers provide information to students that helps them learn. Including formative assessment as part of your instruction provides critical information to you, the teacher, as well as to your students. Here is a checklist of actions and procedures you can include in your instructional strategies to maximize the effectiveness of formative evaluation in your classroom. Include opportunities in your lesson plans that encourage students to ask questions throughout the lesson. Your response to their questions and your method of handling their questions can help them understand how questioning can improve their learning. Make sure that all class work and homework supports student progress. Students should understand how the work they are doing fits into the instructional goals of the concept, lesson and class. They should also be able to express what they have learned through class work and homework. Provide individual and class feedback that provides concrete information to students on how to improve. Have students state what they need to do to improve back to you in their own words until you feel comfortable that they understand what you have communicated to them about their learning. Help students learn how effective classroom dialogue is part of the learning process. Create opportunities for your students to comment on concepts throughout the lesson, make connections and practice application for clarification. Including formative evaluation in your plans for instruction can be instrumental in helping your students achieve. You can learn about other aspects of assessment by exploring the Assessment segment of this website.