2.5.5 Formative Assessment procedures at DDE (500 words)

The assessment has multifold benefits to all the stakeholders, as it helps the learner to understand their progress, faculty to know the course attainment & adjust instructional delivery, institution to certify and society to make judgment on both learner and institution. The assessment of SRMIST DDE is evaluated through formative self-check ungraded exercises, formative continuous internal assessment (30 %) and summative – term end examinations (70 %) as per the UGC ODL regulations. Formative evaluation helps both academic counselors and learners in several ways 
 serves as feedback for effectiveness of self-learning material, personal contact programmes
 enables to identify progress of learning including the quantum, quality, pace and amount of learning required
 identifies learning difficulty /weakness in the learners for improvement to take remedial actions by sharing additional content, illustrations and planning of one-to-one interaction While the learning acquisition is immediately measured and adjusted through face-to-face interaction in class room learning, the distance learners are much more dependent only on formative assessment to ensure their level of knowledge acquisition. 

This is achieved by 

 Self-assessment questions given in the SLM
 Interactions during the personal contact programmes
 Question & Answer sessions in the contact classes
 Internal assignment / case study question discussions
 Internal assignment evaluation feedback

In SRMIST DDE, the following points are kept in mind for effective implementation of formative assessment as the outcome-based curriculum is insisted upon by regulatory bodies.

A clear framework for scheduling and administering the learning modules with assessment time frame. The learners are informed well in advance about the timings, mode and duration to attend the assessment. At the same time, there is a flexible time pace within the framework considering the pre-occupied employment workload of ODL learners. The workshops about assessment are
conducted to get them familiar with assessment procedures, weightage and timelines apart from providing information during personal contact programmes. There are adequate intervals between assessments and the coverage is clearly defined to learners.
The questions are designed to test their extent of leaning and its application and help them as part of reinforcement of their learning. The learners are also expected to give their feedback on this aspect which is used to improve the system.
As formative assessment requires corrective action, and the learners are informed of their performance and the course coordinator would suggest ways of improving their score. It is a continuous process and the learner is engaged constantly. SRMIST DDE ensures that all their academic counselors to provide timely feedback and follow-up with the learners on their semester progress and better understanding of the subject. As the objective of continuous internal assessment is integrating teaching, learning and evaluation, the learners are provided feedback on learning through and graded assignments / quiz / multiple choice questions / case studies / problem based solutions / practical exercises and projects. The breakup of continuous internal assessment tools depends on the course type (Theory, Theory cum Practical, and Practical) and detailed in regulations. Thus the formative assessment is measured through aligning instruction in SLM, adapting suitable materials / mode of learners, help the students to focus towards their learning goal, and diagnose on the target achievement of competency.

Supporting Documents on Formative Assessment
 Policy documents on Evaluation Methodology of DDE
 CIA schedules
 CIA performance
 Remedial action on slow learners / weakness students / non-performers in CIA