What type of assessment is utilized throughout teaching to gauge students' understanding?

Formative assessment is a crucial part of the teaching and learning process, as it is designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. This type of assessment occurs regularly during the instructional process, allowing teachers to gauge students' understanding and mastery of material in real-time.

By using formative assessments, teachers can identify areas where students are struggling, adjust their instructional strategies accordingly, and provide targeted interventions. Unlike summative assessments, which occur at the end of an instructional period to evaluate student learning against a standard or benchmark, formative assessments are more focused on the developmental aspects of student learning. This continual feedback loop can enhance student engagement and effectively guide instruction.