I believe what I do is training, not therapy. Therefore, I discuss the difference between formative and summative assessments. I’ll use my knowledge gained from the Cert IV in Training and Assessment, TAE40122 course to outline these differences, giving people a better understanding of my work.

During my time with learners who are blind or have low vision, I’m constantly assessing whether we can tailor the training to better suit their needs and identify any gaps. This is a formative assessment. If I want to deem them competent before moving on to something else, I use a summative assessment.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is ongoing checking of learning while it is still happening. It is low-stakes, flexible, and designed to give feedback — not grades — so learners and trainers can adjust before the end of a unit or course.
Examples include quizzes, practice tasks, observation, questioning, drafts, or skills demonstrations. Its goal is to support improvement and guide learning, not to judge final competence.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment happens at the end of learning to measure whether the learner has achieved the required standard or competency. It is high-stakes and used to make a final decision, such as passing a unit, awarding a qualification, or certifying competence.
Examples include final projects, practical assessments, exams, or workplace observation checks. Its goal is to evaluate outcomes and make a judgement — not provide ongoing feedback.

Summory

• Formative assessment is for learning.
• Summative assessment is of learning.

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