formativi

Formativi is the plural masculine form of formativo in Italian. The adjective formativo derives from Latin formativus and describes processes, experiences or objects that shape or develop something, especially a person’s knowledge, skills, and character. Common Italian phrases include anni formativi (formative years), which refers to childhood and adolescence as a period of formation, and attività formative (educational or training activities).

In education, the term is closely associated with valutazione formativa, or formative assessment. This approach emphasizes ongoing feedback during learning to monitor progress and adjust instruction and learner strategies. Unlike summative assessment, which measures achievement at the end of a unit, formative assessment aims to support improvement rather than certification. Methods include teacher observations, quizzes for feedback, drafts, peer review, and rubrics aligned to learning objectives. Effective formative practice uses actionable feedback, clear goals, and opportunities for revision.

Outside formal schooling, formativi are used to describe experiences that contribute to development, such as training programs, internships, or professional development initiatives designed to shape skills and competencies over time. The concept is widely used in education policy, pedagogy, and human development to emphasize growth processes rather than final outcomes.