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Introductory Brainstorm Activity
Before we move into this section on authentic online assessments, please think about a course you teach and consider these questions:
- How does the course support learners in becoming industry ready?
- How does the course help students to become community-minded citizens?
- What real-world tasks are common in this industry and/or community?
Please respond to at least five questions that relate to you. Then export this data and save the file. You will revisit these ideas at the end of this module.
From Traditional Assessment to Authentic Assessment
Authentic assessment supports the belief that students need to perform meaningful tasks in the real world in order to become productive citizens. To help students become proficient in the real world, they should build competency in tasks by taking on “real-world challenges”[1] in collaborative, multidimensional ways.
Through authentic assessment, learners demonstrate achievement by applying their knowledge. Authentic assessment measures the application of knowledge rather than the content knowledge itself.
Learners also become more acutely aware of their own skill development and learn to clearly articulate their skills and how they might work to improve in certain skill areas.
Authentic Assessment is Experiential
Learners become immersed in meaningful tasks that build relevant skills and help them meet their personal and professional goals. Learners can take ownership over their learning experience and develop an awareness of their skill development over time.
Examples of authentic assessments [2] include:
- public-facing presentations, videos, posters, podcasts, infographics, etc.
- systems mapping
- sharing circles
- proposals
- and more.
Review Activity: Traditional vs. Authentic Assessment
Consider these contrasting approaches. For the dialogue cards below, read the traditional assessment, and consider an alternative authentic assessment. Then, flip the card to view an option we’ve come up with.[3]
Reflection
Assessment is subjugated by a Western worldview…much of the mainstream culture-infused, linguistic-laden practices of assessment disadvantage Indigenous students.
– Preston & Claypool (2021)[4]
Integrating online assessment practices that prioritize human experience and individual learning can foster inclusive learning environments and encourage learners to create their own transformative learning experiences. Furthermore, equitable and inclusive assessment design can help to dismantle systemic inequities caused by racism, bias and discrimination.[5]
Challenges to Authentic Assessment
Transforming from traditional to authentic modes of assessment may seem daunting and counterintuitive for some faculty. Here are some common concerns expressed by faculty. Select each quote to review a response/counterargument:
Tip: As you go through the types and examples of online assessment in this module, consider how each assessment meets these criteria for effective online design.
Four Types of Authentic Online Assessment
In this section, we will overview four types of student-centred online assessment. For each assessment type, review examples of techniques that help to improve the quality of our assessment design to improve student learning.
All four types of assessment should be frequent and ongoing throughout your course. However, when planning your assessment strategy, prioritize formative low-stakes assessment over high-stakes assessment to limit burnout for students and instructors alike. For graded assessments, ensure that the expected workload for students is reasonable for the weighting of the task.
Prior Knowledge Assessment
Explanation: These are diagnostic and help us determine the needs of learners at the individual and group level. They show what students already know or can do. Teachers use this data to clarify learning goals and adapt lessons to meet learners where they are at. They are not graded and help us determine the needs of learners at the individual and group level.
These assessments can “activate” learners’ prior knowledge, helping them connect new ideas to prior knowledge. Watch the 1:56 minute video to learn more about activating prior knowledge [Video].
Online Examples Overviewed in this Module:
- Concept mapping
- Online polling
- Online collaboration
- Discussion forums
Formative Assessment
Explanation: Formative assessments are low-stakes assessments, like quick “checks” to make sure students understand new concepts and can apply new skills. These assessments should be ongoing, frequent, and engaging for learners.
Online Examples Overviewed in this Module:
- One-minute responses
- Exit tickets
- Pair/small group task
Demonstration of Learning Assessment
Explanation: Students demonstrate learning by completing real-world tasks and solving real-world problems. They are often task-based and emphasize “doing”. They often mimic the workplace and/or community contexts. Authentic assessments encourage critical thinking by emphasizing judgement, negotiation, analysis and innovation.
Authentic assessment is usually summative, meaning that learners complete a task to demonstrate the knowledge or skills acquired at the end of a module, unit or course.
Online Examples Overviewed in this Module:
- Infographics
- Digital Storytelling
- Systems Mapping
- Virtual Simulations
Reflection as Learning Assessment
Explanation: The teacher facilitates learner reflection by prompting learners to think about their own development over time (i.e., metacognition) and identify goals and strategies to employ next time they complete a new task.
Online Examples Overviewed in this Module:
- Sharing Circles
- Performance Letters
- Multimodal Reflection
High-Quality Online Assessment Strategies
Here are some online assessment strategies that
- encourage authentic learning experiences,
- reduce barriers to learning, and
- support learner variability.
Most of these strategies offer learners a choice of modalities to share their knowledge and demonstrate skill. Consider offering a choice of digital tools to present and submit work. Try to integrate authentic opportunities for learning while doing the assessment.
Tip: Be prepared to conduct a quick Google search on free and accessible digital tools that can facilitate the design and delivery of assessment activities and practices.
Review these strategies. Which ones are most intriguing to you? Visit the various links to explore further.
Prior Knowledge Assessment Strategies
Formative Assessment Strategies
Demonstration of Learning Assessment Strategies
Reflection as Learning Assessment Strategies
Reflection – Applying Your Knowledge
- Muller, J. (2018). How is authentic assessment similar to/different from traditional assessment? Authentic Assessment Toolbox. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/whatisit.htm#similar ↵
- <author?>Seneca. (2020, December 7). Authentic assessments. Seneca College The Teaching & Learning Centre. Retrieved on December 15, 2021, from https://employees.senecacollege.ca/spaces/39/the-teaching-learning-centre/articles/press-release/7602/authentic-assessment ↵
- Adapted from Mueller, J. (2012) Authentic Assessment Toolbox and Seneca College Authentic Assessment Nutshell ↵
- Preston, J. P. & Claypool, T. (2021). Analyzing assessment practices for Indigenous students. Frontiers in Education 6, 679972. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.679972 ↵
- Stommel, J. (2021, June 11). Ungrading: An Introduction. JessieStommel.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.jessestommel.com/ungrading-an-introduction/ ↵
