What is Assessment for Learning (AfL)?

Assessment for learning (AFL) is an approach to teaching and learning that creates feedback for the trainee which is then used to improve their performance. 

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Assessment for Learning can be formative or summative:

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is assessment for learning. It guides the learning process. It provides feedback and reassurance that promotes reflection and shapes values. Several strategies can be used by your training officer to do this. For example, informal questioning and observation. The focus for work-based training should be formative assessment. Your training officer/assessor should create an effective learning environment where trainees recognise their own learning needs. Training officers should identify resources and devise strategies to help you achieve your objectives.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is assessment of learning about the overall judgement of competence, fitness to practice, accountability, and advancement to higher levels of responsibility through more formal examinations and testing, for example the OSFA.