Formativno

Formativno is an adjective used in several South Slavic languages, including Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin. It derives from the Latin formativus, meaning related to formation, shaping, or development. The term is applied to processes and activities that influence growth, skill formation, and refining of knowledge or systems.

In education, formativno ocenjivanje (formative assessment) refers to an ongoing process of gathering evidence about learning and providing feedback during instruction. Its aim is to inform both teaching and learning, helping students improve and teachers adapt methods accordingly. Formative assessment emphasizes timely, actionable feedback, opportunities for revision, and adjustments to teaching strategies rather than assigning final grades. Common methods include observations, quick checks for understanding, drafts or practice tasks, peer and self-assessment, and reflective activities. The main outcome is enhanced learning progress and more responsive instruction.

Beyond classrooms, the concept of formativno can describe processes that shape development in other contexts, such as policy design, organizational change, or skill formation in individuals. It generally conveys a focus on shaping outcomes through interim steps, feedback, and ongoing refinement, as opposed to final evaluation or end-state judgments.

Formativno is not a separate discipline but a descriptor used to express formative, developmental, or shaping aspects in education, psychology, and related fields. It is often contrasted with summativno (summative) assessment, which concentrates on final evaluation at the end of a period.