In which situation is formative assessment particularly useful?

Formative assessment is particularly useful because it focuses on the ongoing process of learning, allowing instructors to gather feedback during the learning experience rather than at the end. This practice enables educators to provide immediate feedback to students, which can help them understand their strengths and weaknesses in real-time. Immediate feedback is crucial as it allows students to make adjustments to their learning strategies and understanding before they face high-stakes evaluations, such as final exams. This approach fosters a growth mindset and encourages continuous improvement, which is essential in the learning process.

In contrast, other scenarios listed, such as determining final grades or assessing only student capabilities, typically rely on summative assessments, which evaluate learning after a period without the opportunity for immediate feedback. Evaluating teacher performance also tends to focus on overall effectiveness over time rather than the continuous feedback structure provided by formative assessments.