What are Authentic Assessments?
Consider the following definitions of authentic assessment:
[Authentic assessment is]… a form of assessment in which students are asked to perform real-world tasks that demonstrate meaningful application of essential knowledge and skills. (Mueller, 2018)
…Engaging and worthy problems or questions of importance, in which students must use knowledge to fashion performances effectively and creatively. The tasks are either replicas of or analogous to the kinds of problems faced by adult citizens and consumers or professionals in the field. (Wiggins, 1993, as cited in Mueller, 2018)
An authentic assignment is one that requires application of what students have learned to a new situation, and that demands judgment to determine what information and skills are relevant and how they should be used. Authentic assignments often focus on messy, complex real-world situations and their accompanying constraints; they can involve a real-world audience of stakeholders or ‘clients’ as well. (CITL, n.d.)
Reflection
All three definitions highlight the key features of authentic assessments:
- the application of knowledge and skills in new ways,
- an element of performance,
- alignment to real life tasks, problems, and situations.
Characteristics of Authentic Assessments
Let’s examine authentic assessments in more detail.
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Traditional versus authentic online assessments
The following table highlights some of the differences between traditional online tests and authentic online assessments:
For example, consider an applied mathematics course where learners must demonstrate their ability to use analytical geometry to determine the optimum volume of different shapes.
In a traditional approach, learners might take a timed test through the online course site and solve several math questions related to volume optimization. Dimensions for the calculations would be provided on the test, resulting in only one correct solution to each problem. Learners are evaluated on their ability to apply the correct formulas and perform the calculations. At the end of the test, they receive feedback on whether or not they arrived at the right answer.
While this type of traditional assessment is easy to set up and grade, it evaluates a limited set of skills, provides limited feedback to learners, and makes little connection between the tested knowledge and its future applications to real life.
In an authentic assessment, learners could be asked to determine the best packaging dimensions for various products of different sizes and shapes. They would be free to select items from their home and would need to take measurements of those items. As a result, each solution would be unique. Learners would also need to explain their optimization strategy and justify their choice of packaging shape for each product. To complete the authentic task, learners must integrate a variety of critical thinking, computational, and communication skills, and would receive feedback on their thought processes. Learners are able to clearly understand the relevancy of what they are learning.
Although potentially more challenging to develop and grade, authentic assessments provide a superior and valued learning experience. Later in this module, we present strategies for effectively and efficiently designing, implementing, and evaluating authentic assessments.
Reflection
Benefits of Authentic Assessment
In Module 1 we summarized the benefits of traditional assessments. As the preceding section shows, online tests offer standardized, easy-to-grade, familiar options for evaluating a learner’s grasp of knowledge and facts.
But as Villarroel et al. (2019) points out,
It is difficult for tests in themselves to promote a deep approach to learning, that requires the construction of knowledge, reflection and collaborative work, which limits the achievement of central objectives of higher education (Endedijk & Vermunt, 2013).
Let’s examine how the characteristics of authentic assessments translate into improved learning opportunities.
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Authentic assessments address online assessment challenges
Authentic assessments are widely promoted as solutions to online assessment challenges. Here are a few of the positive contributions authentic assessments make to quality online learning.
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Develop autonomous, self-regulated learners.
Autonomy and self-regulation are important behaviours for successful online learning, yet many learners struggle with keeping themselves focused and motivated in the online environment. To successfully complete an authentic assessment, learners need to independently research problems and solutions, take responsibility for the tasks, and exercise effective time and project management skills. A well-designed and well-supported authentic assessment can guide the development of these autonomous behaviours.
Reduce online testing barriers.
Unlike online tests, access to technology has less of an impact on authentic online assessments. In many cases, learners can work offline at their own pace to complete the tasks, thereby avoiding issues due to sudden hardware/software failures, lost internet connections, computer unavailability, and time zone differences. The ability to complete assessments offline minimizes the effects of the “digital divide” between underprivileged, marginalized learners who may not have home access to computers, and their wealthier peers.
LMS-based online testing platforms limit the types of accommodations available to diverse learners. On the other hand, authentic assessments are more easily adapted to consider the needs and abilities of all online learners.
Address academic integrity concerns.
When learners perceive school environments to be focused on performance goals like grades and test scores over mastery, behaviors such as cheating may emerge (Anderman & Midgley, 2004; Simkin & McLeod, 2010). One way to bolster academic integrity behaviours is to incorporate principles of authenticity into assessment design. Provide a choice of questions or topics to solicit different approaches to problem solving and a range of possible answers. Constructed, personalized, and justified responses are less “searchable” online compared to right or wrong answers.
Forms of assessment that require creative thought and significant learning opportunities are taken more seriously by learners (McCabe & Pavela, 2004). Contextualized assignments connected to relevant, useful workplace tasks can provide incentive for learners who perceive the importance of honestly learning the skills. Likewise, learners who discuss their own experiences and interests have an increased sense of ownership of their work and are less motivated to cheat.
Document mastery of competencies.
Online micro-credentials are growing in popularity. “A micro-credential is a certification of assessed learning associated with specific and relevant skills or competencies.” (Chaktsiris et. al., 2021). Competency-based assessment practices closely align with authentic or performance assessments. Understanding how to design, deliver, and evaluate online authentic assessments in ways that ensure validity will be critical to the trusted adoption of online micro-credentials within the education and training sectors.
When To Use Authentic Assessments
Authentic strategies can apply to diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments. In addition to acting as graded evaluations of student learning, formative authentic tasks may be used to introduce learners to course concepts in relevant, engaging ways that tap into their interests. By performing these low-stakes authentic tasks, learners and instructors receive formative feedback to guide their learning and instruction.
Scenario
Consider the following scenario about an authentic formative assessment. Use the arrows to navigate between slides.
Incorporating summative authentic assessments into your evaluation plan does not necessarily mean you need to eliminate traditional assessments from your course. Knowledge and comprehension of theoretical concepts, in some cases, may be best assessed through traditional testing methods such as quizzes and exams. Achieving a balance between traditional and authentic assessment can maximize theoretical and practical learning for students.
Your course learning outcomes will help guide the selection of assessment types. Consider using an authentic assessment to evaluate learning outcomes that:
- target higher cognitive levels within Bloom’s taxonomy (apply, analyze, evaluate, create),
- require performance (build, generate, create, use, etc.),
- have obvious connections to real-world contexts.
The Road to Authenticity
As you reflect on your course evaluation methods, consider various ways to incorporate “authenticity” into your assessment practices. The following suggestions describe authentic assessment strategies that increase from low complexity to high.
Where are you on the road to authenticity?
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Reflection
