Formal observation refers to the precise and highly controlled methods that take place in a laboratory environment, while informal observation is a rather random observation of the environment.

Informal observations can be as simple as watching a group of children during playtime or examining group dynamics within a classroom game. Although teachers are always observing their class, this everyday monitoring still differs from an informal observation.

Formal methods of assessment can include exams, checklists, rating using a scale, anecdotal record and portfolios. Informal methods of assessment can include quizzes, tests (made by the teacher), project work, self checklist/ questionnaire, reward charts, journals or logs.

Formal assessment refers to a grading system-based evaluation to monitor students' knowledge. Informal assessment refers to a method of student evaluation that does not have any standard grading criteria. Norm-referenced: teacher measures students' performance based on their average performance in class.

An example of informal assessment could be a teacher asking her students to summarize their learnings at the end of the day. She can then understand how much the students have understood the topics.

There are two main strategies for conducting informal observational assessments: intentional and incidental.

Informal assessments use observation and screening techniques to provide information. Examples of informal assessments include observation, portfolios, anecdotal notes and checklists.

Informal observations include direct observations of our own and others' behavior as well as secondhand observations from nonscientific sources such as newspapers, books, and so on. For example, you might notice that you always seem to be in the slowest moving line at the grocery store.

Informal observation is a way that teachers can collect qualitative data about a student's progress and development, without relying on scores from their academic work or reports from other teachers.