Module 2 – Authentic Assessments
Introduction
Keeping it Real
What does it mean to be authentic? When we think of authenticity, we call up ideas of genuine actions and behaviours. Authentic experiences are true, realistic, and accurate. In education, authenticity means connecting learning that takes place within a course setting to real life skills. Authentic learning builds bridges between theoretical concepts and their practical applications. How do we bring the benefits of authentic learning into our assessment and feedback strategies?
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Summarize the differences between traditional and authentic online assessments.
- Link the characteristics of authentic assessments to their many benefits for online learners.
- Apply principles of authenticity to improve the design of both traditional and authentic online assessments.
- Plan an authentic assessment for your course that aligns with learning outcomes and accommodates both learners’ and instructors’ needs.
