Characteristics of Authentic Assessments
Authentic assessments in real-world scenarios have several characteristics. They involve the use of real-world problems and inquiry-based learning activities, allowing students to engage in meaningful and relevant tasks. These assessments also encourage discourse and collaboration within a community of learners, promoting the exchange of ideas and perspectives. Additionally, authentic assessments provide opportunities for student autonomy, allowing learners to take ownership of their learning and make decisions based on their own interests and goals. In terms of technology, authentic assessments can be facilitated through the use of interactive computational applications that collect data inputs from learners' interactions, such as mouse clicks or keyboard presses. Real-time analysis and feedback are important components of authentic assessments, requiring the use of intelligent adaptive algorithms to provide personalized and adaptive feedback to learners.
Real-world Context:
- Characteristic: Authentic assessments simulate or replicate real-world tasks or situations.
- Example: In a medical training program, students might be required to diagnose and treat a simulated patient based on real-case symptoms.
Complexity:
- Characteristic: These assessments often involve complex, ill-structured problems that require critical thinking.
- Example: In a business course, students could be asked to develop a full business plan for a startup, considering multiple variables like market analysis, financial planning, and legal requirements.
Multi-dimensionality:
- Characteristic: Authentic assessments usually measure multiple skills or objectives simultaneously.
- Example: In an English course, students might be assessed on their ability to research, structure an argument, and write clearly through a long-form essay.
- Process-Oriented:
- Characteristic: The focus is not just on the final product but also on the process of problem-solving, decision-making, and execution.
- Example: In a software engineering project, students are graded on their coding, debugging, teamwork, and project management skills.
Use of Real-world Tools:
- Characteristic: Authentic assessments often require the use of tools that are commonly used in the field.
- Example: In a graphic design course, students might use professional software like Adobe Photoshop to complete a project.
- Collaboration:
- Characteristic: These assessments often involve teamwork or collaboration, mimicking real-world social and occupational settings.
- Example: In a political science class, students could be grouped into 'cabinets' to simulate the decision-making processes of a government.
Subjectivity in Evaluation:
- Characteristic: Scoring often involves judgment and interpretation, rather than just objective, right-or-wrong answers.
- Example: In a public speaking course, students are assessed based on their ability to engage the audience, the quality of their arguments, and their presentation skills, which can be somewhat subjective.
- Characteristic: Authentic assessments usually provide opportunities for feedback and revision.
- Example: In a music performance class, students might perform multiple times throughout the semester, receiving feedback each time to improve subsequent performances.
- Characteristic: These assessments often include ethical or moral dimensions relevant to the field.
- Example: In a journalism course, students may be tasked with reporting on a sensitive issue, considering ethical considerations such as privacy and fair representation.