Why might we want to introduce more authenticity into our assessment practices? (adapted from Brown & Sambell, 2023)
- Students often find it interesting and rewarding;
- Used well, it can be a driver for effective learning;
- It can be a powerful means of developing students’ higher order thinking skills;
- Authentic assessment tends to be invaluable in motivating students who recognise its validity and long-term relevance;
- It can foster among students a wide range of liferelevant skills and attributes;
- There can be genuine rather than tokenistic opportunities for inclusive practice;
- Authentic approaches can help promote academic integrity;
- Tasks can link well to real-world challenges (if associated with industry, professions or civic groups).
Prof Sally Brown and Prof Kay Sambell resources at Sally Brown - Assessment,
learning and teaching in higher education Sally Brown (sally-brown.net)
Exemplars on Authentic Assessment
The below exemplars collected from TU Dublin academics, show examples of authenticity in assessment and the impact of that assessment on student learning:
- Oral Reflection Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Machine Learning Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Robotic Vehicles Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Field Trip Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Feedback Literacy Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Regulatory Environment Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Enterprise Challenge Authentic Assessment
- Employment Experience Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Co-Op Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Clinical Examination Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Building a Shelter Authentic Assessment Exemplar
- Abstract Visual Story Authentic Assessment Exemplar
Student perspectives on Authentic Assessment
Authentic assessment evaluates whether students can successfully transfer their knowledge & skills to various contexts & scenarios.
It is the difference between measuring what students know vs how they can apply their knowledge.
These assessment methods vary between disciplines.
Examples include:
- Develop a website/app to solve a particular problem
- Design a project within a given real-world scenario (product design)
- Develop a business plan for a company in an area of interest
- Critically review case studies outlining real-life scenarios
The benefits of authentic assessment for students include that:
- It focuses on higher order thinking skills – students must apply
knowledge creatively to problem solve - It motivates students to engage with the content = more productive
learning - It reduces competency gaps between education + professional life
- It equips students with skills they can use in future employment
Taken from the NTUTORR Compendium of Assessment methods: Students Perspectives