What is the primary purpose of conducting informal assessments during classroom lessons?

The primary purpose of conducting informal assessments during classroom lessons is to facilitate ongoing instructional adjustments. Informal assessments, which can include observations, interactive activities, and student responses, allow educators to gauge students' understanding and skills in real-time. This immediate feedback is vital as it enables teachers to adapt their instructional strategies to better meet the needs of their students, ensuring that learning is tailored and effective.

In contrast, summative evaluations are typically conducted at the end of a unit or course to measure what students have learned over a longer period. Comparing against standardized tests usually involves benchmarking student performance using external measures, which does not provide the same immediate insights into individual learning processes. Lastly, assessing only at the end of the term limits opportunities for feedback and adjustment, which informal assessments are specifically designed to address throughout the learning journey.