As you’ve probably realized, there is a myriad of ways to assess learning. The real question is how to choose the most effective ones?
Let’s explore some key options that every instructional designer should know:
The difference between formative and summative assessments
Before we dive into the different assessment strategies, let’s just take a moment to discuss what “formative” and “summative” mean.
Essentially:
- Formative assessments are conducted throughout the learning process and are designed to provide immediate feedback which the learner can use to improve and adjust.
- Summative assessments take place at the end of a full module or even a complete course. They serve to evaluate the learner’s overall performance and knowledge retention.
For example, a quick (formative) quiz might be used throughout a training course as a rapid method for testing knowledge. The answers the students give will tell the facilitator which parts of the lesson need revisiting.
Then, at the end of the course, students sit for a formal (summative) exam which gives them an overall grade of their ability.
Which should you use?
Really, both methods should be incorporated into training initiatives. However, formative assessment is arguably the most important for e-learning.
In a virtual environment, it’s difficult to understand how well the learning content has been received. Compared to a live environment, where you can physically see if a student is struggling, it’s much easier for someone to hide these things behind a video screen.
Students might be completely lost and you won’t know it unless you use formative assessments to continually track progress.
Once you do get a handle on how students are doing, you’ll know if you need to revisit certain parts of the material and get everyone up to speed.
Summative assessments shouldn’t get second-class treatment, though. They are extremely useful because they properly evaluate the learner’s overall understanding of the content.
They are especially crucial for accredited and certified courses where an end grade matters. In a less formal environment, they reveal what further learning (if any) each student needs to go through.
Strategies for e-learning assessments (and their pros and cons)
Quizzes and questions
- Type: Formative
Quizzes are the go-to assessment type for a lot of training initiatives – particularly for online training.
They are incredibly versatile thanks to the different types of questions you can create (true/false, multiple choice, image-based, etc.) and can be adapted to suit just about any type of training.

Pros:
- This method is popular because they are easy and fast to create.
- They give instant feedback on the student’s progress.
- Quizzes are also highly scalable and quickly updated, making them useful for rapidly changing industries, such as regulatory compliance.
Cons:
- The biggest downside of quizzes is that they encourage guesswork rather than critical thinking.
- Students can attempt an answer (and get it right) without fully understanding the concept.
- Cheating is also easier – especially with online quizzes.
Gamified assessments
- Type: Formative
Gamification goes hand-in-hand with e-learning and uses game-like elements, such as points, badges, leaderboards, or challenges to enhance the evaluation process.
Games give learners the chance to demonstrate their knowledge and progress through “levels” while receiving instant feedback and rewards.
Pros:
- Games are fun! So, you’re likely to get a high rate of engagement if you use them.
- They are designed to provide immediate feedback so learners will know instantly how well they are performing.
- Leaderboards and rewards can inspire friendly competition and motivate learners to aim higher.
Cons:
- Over-gamifying the experience can distract learners from the main objectives of the lesson.
- Designing a gamified experience is resource-heavy and requires specific software to create.
- Some topics, especially complex or abstract ones, don’t lend themselves well to gamification.
Scenario-based assignments
- Type: Formative
Scenarios present learners with a real-world situation that they then have to navigate. The scenario is usually accompanied by a compelling story that gets participants emotionally involved and engaged.
“Branching” where participants are faced with choices on how to proceed determines the final outcome of the scenario. Usually, if the wrong branch is chosen, the participant can go back a step and try again.
Pros:
- Scenarios mimic real-life situations in a safe environment without risk.
- They are an engaging method of assessment that helps learners reach the “point of skill” faster.
- Scenarios are also one of the best methods for improving critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Cons:
- Scenarios are not a “quick fix.” They are time-consuming to create.
- The variable outcomes make the method difficult to grade.
- Also, there’s only so much you can fit into an assessment. Therefore, you also run the risk of oversimplifying complex issues or real-world circumstances.
Self-assessment
- Type: Formative and summative
This is exactly as the name suggests. Self-assessment relies on learners looking critically at their own work to evaluate progress and understanding. Like peer assessment, self-assessing is performed against a rubric to ensure consistency.
The idea here is to give each individual full ownership over their progression and how successful it is (or isn’t).
Pros:
- This method promotes critical thinking and self-awareness in areas of strength and weakness.
- Individuals know themselves better than others. Therefore, they may highlight challenges or accomplishments that were missed by other assessment methods.
- Self-assessment can make learners care more about the outcome, leading to increased efforts and engagement.
Cons:
- Big potential for bias here and an over or underestimation of performance.
- Some individuals may purposefully exaggerate their success.
- Disagreeing viewpoints between learners and other assessors can lead to conflict.
Peer assessments
- Type: Formative and summative
Peer assessments are where we rely on others to review and assess our progress. Typically, a rubric (scoring guide) is used to give the assessment process proper structure and criteria to score against.
The results are then delivered via feedback sessions with each member of the peer group, discussing their findings.
Pros:
- Since peer assessments are feedback-focused, it makes them ideal for all stages of the learning process.
- When reviewing others’ work, the process gives each participant a chance to reflect on their own performance and find areas to improve.
- This is a good strategy for large groups as it is quick to implement and carry out.
Cons:
- When relying on others’ opinions, there is a strong likelihood of experiencing bias.
- The quality of the feedback can vary since it is dependent on each assessor’s knowledge and skills.
- Not all learners are comfortable giving and receiving feedback in this manner.
Formal-style tests
- Type: Summative
Exams and tests are structured evaluation processes that typically lead to a graded result. They are primarily used in accredited courses or in a formal educational environment such as schools and colleges.
Pros:
- Formal assessments are completely objective and unbiased.
- They are also usually backed by research and have been thoroughly tested to ensure they are fair, reliable, and accurate.
- The scores can be compared across different groups and demographics to understand averages and benchmarks.
Cons:
- The pressure to pass the exams can lead to the training focusing too intently on test subjects and neglecting other important areas.
- Formal tests are notorious for inducing stress and anxiety among learners.
- The scope for formal testing is limited, and best suited to a classroom environment.
Projects and portfolios
- Type: Summative
Projects provide an in-depth way of assessing newfound knowledge or skills in a real-world situation. Because they are hands-on, they are excellent for deep learning and improved knowledge retention.
Similarly, portfolios allow students to showcase their abilities – particularly in creative fields like writing, design, or marketing.
Pros:
- Projects and portfolios are a comprehensive evaluation method and give a holistic view of learner abilities.
- Because they involve working towards an overall goal, they tend to get higher engagement than repetitive assessments, like quizzes.
- Students get a more authentic assessment experience since projects and portfolios mimic real-world situations or needs.
Cons:
- This is probably one of the most time-consuming assessment methods, since they require a lot of work.
- Grading a project or portfolio tends to be subjective. Therefore, a structured scoring method also needs to be developed.
- Some projects can be resource-intensive, which can raise logistical challenges (storing materials, etc.) and be restricted by budget constraints.
Practical demonstrations and presentations
- Type: Summative
A practical demonstration is necessary when learners need to show their ability of the skills they have learned. For example, baking a cake, conducting an experiment, or writing a piece of code.
Pros:
- Practical demonstrations are tangible and hands-on (and often fun), so you’re likely to get a lot of enthusiasm for them from your students.
- They are the best assessment method for physical skills (like culinary arts or jewelry making) which would be otherwise extremely difficult to evaluate.
- They allow students to showcase their competencies in a setting that reflects real-life performance.
Cons:
- It can be challenging to run practical demonstrations in a virtual environment, as the students may not have the setup required to carry out the tasks.
- Furthermore, if you’re assessing a demonstration via a video or livestream, it’s easy to miss small but important details.
- Like projects and portfolios, grading the results is subjective and requires a strict scoring framework.
Quick tips for getting the best out of learning assessments
- Don’t rely on a single method: Use a variety of formative and summative assessments that are suitable for the subject.
- Show how work will be graded: Learners need to understand the rubrics and grading criteria so they know what is expected of them.
- Resist designing for the assessment: Be very careful not to solely focus the training material on fulfilling the grading criteria. Otherwise, it becomes a checkbox exercise rather than focusing on the learning objectives.
- Limit opportunity for cheating: You have less oversight in a virtual environment, so put safeguards in place to limit opportunities for cheating. For example, randomize quiz questions, request personalized responses, and use live presentations or demonstrations.
- Allow space to practice: Anxiety and stress can be significantly reduced if learners can participate in things like practice assessments or low-stakes quizzes. They’ll get a good feel for what to expect and the formal assessment won’t feel as daunting.
Final thoughts
With the right assessment methods in place, you will know if your students are achieving meaningful progress.
And don’t forget, assessments not only gauge learner progress but also provide valuable insights to fine-tune your approach for future training design!

By Janette Bonnet
Janette Bonnet is an experienced L&D professional who is passionate about exploring instructional design techniques, trends, and innovations.