What type of assessment is Mr. Rico conducting when he checks understanding during the lesson using a marker board?

Mr. Rico is conducting a formative assessment when he checks understanding during the lesson using a marker board. Formative assessments are designed to provide ongoing feedback to both the teacher and students about how well learning objectives are being met during the instructional process. By using a marker board to gauge students' understanding while the lesson is in progress, Mr. Rico is able to identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust his teaching strategies accordingly. This immediate feedback helps to enhance the learning experience and supports students in mastering the material.

In contrast, summative assessments typically occur at the end of an instructional period to evaluate what students have learned, while diagnostic assessments are conducted before instruction to identify students' prior knowledge and skills. Benchmark assessments are also typically standardized measures used to evaluate student performance at specific points in time throughout the school year, often to track progress against standards.