Classroom Assessment Techniques are formative evaluation methods that serve two purposes. They can help you to assess the degree to which your students understand the course content and they can provide you with information about the effectiveness of your teaching methods. Most are designed to be quick and easy to use and each CAT provides different kinds of information. Formative Evaluations Formative evaluations provide information that can be used to improve course content, methods of teaching, and, ultimately, student learning.
Some faculty incorporate a CAT into every class session.
Following is a partial chart of CAT exercises, indicating the kind of evaluation for which each is intended, what each is called, how each is conducted, what to do with the information you collect, and an approximation of the relative amount of time each requires. Review before next class meeting and use to clarify, correct, or elaborate. Same as One-Minute Paper. If many had the same problem, try another approach. Each student writes a short answer, puts it in the envelope, and passes it on.