Authentic

AssessmentSarah Benning

Stuart Beatch

Aimee Holland

Rae Lang

What

it is

…

• An alternative to traditional forms of assessment• Performance-based or

outcome-based assessment• Student directed

What

it is

…

Authentic Assessment

uses:• Actual material • Thinking like an expert

• Realistic situations• Questions or issues that

might actually occur in a

real-life situation• Realistic tools and resources

Involves:• Pattern recognition• Paraphrasing• Creating models

What

it is

not…

• “Camouflage”• Traditional forms of assessment are “dressed up” to appear

authentic• Occurs when teachers

try to introduce “real

world” elements to enhance certain characteristics of the

task• The wording can

complicate the intentBaron, M. A. & Boschee, F. (1995). Authentic assessment: The key to unlocking student success. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company.Cumming, J. J. & Maxwell, G. S. (1999). Contextualizing authentic assessment. Assessment in Education. 6, 177-196.

Exa

mple

s

• In Math, authentic tasks would:

• Highlight the usefulness of

mathematical thinking

• Bridge the gap between school

and real mathematics.

• Study: • Two separate groups • 250 students asked to complete

two different tasks• Similar in structure• Differed in design and set up

“Sweets” Task “Chemical” Task- Set up as an everyday problem- Students were given everyday kitchen equipment- Wording of the task implied everyday knowledge (candy dissolves and fizzes in your mouth)

- Set up as a scientific experiment- Students were given lab equipment - Wording of the task was scientific (certain chemicals fizz and bubble when placed in water)

Cumming, J. J. & Maxwell, G. S. (1999). Contextualizing authentic assessment. Assessment in Education. 6, 177-196.

His

tory

• One of the earliest references:• Archbald and Newman

(1988)

• Leading proponent:• Grant Wiggins

Frey, B.B., & Schmitt, V.L. (2007). Coming to terms with classroom assessment. Journal of Advanced Academics, 18, 402-423.

Rati

onale

• Assessment reform movement• Authentic assessment:• Provides a broader range

of measures• An alternative to traditional standardized

testing• Connects the classroom to

life beyond the classroom

• Enhances Teacher instruction • Information collected needs

to be matched with the taskTanner, D.E. (2001). Authentic assessment: A solution, or part of the problem? High School Journal, 85, 181-498.

Benefits

for

Teach

ers

• Gain information about students that is

useful for adapting to

fit the various needs

of students • Allows teachers to make

informed decisions• Guidance• Instruction• Gives teachers

multiple chances to asses student understanding

Tanner, D.E. (2001). Authentic assessment: A solution, or part of the problem? High School Journal, 85, 181-498.

Challe

nges

for

teach

ers

• Subjective• Dependent on perceptions• May lead to bias

• Fair assessment• Time intensive• Manage, monitor and

create• Facilitation

Choate J..S & Evans S.S. (1992). Authentic assessment of special learner: Problems or promise? Preventing School Failure, 37(1), 6-9Svinicki, M.D. (2004). Authentic assessment: Testing in reality. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 100, 23-29.Baron, M. A. & Boschee, F. (1995). Authentic assessment: The key to unlocking student success. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company.Cumming, J. J. & Maxwell, G. S. (1999). Contextualizing authentic assessment. Assessment in Education. 6, 177-196.

Challe

nges

for

Teach

ers

• Challenging to provide a

consistent grading scheme

• Grading May not be practical

in large class settings• Challenging to develop for

various courses and objectives• Students with Special

Needs• Ensure that the task can be

accomplished• Meet long term an short

term goals

Choate J..S & Evans S.S. (1992). Authentic assessment of special learner: Problems or promise? Preventing School Failure, 37(1), 6-9Svinicki, M.D. (2004). Authentic assessment: Testing in reality. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 100, 23-29.Baron, M. A. & Boschee, F. (1995). Authentic assessment: The key to unlocking student success. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company.

Cumming, J. J. & Maxwell, G. S. (1999). Contextualizing authentic assessment. Assessment in Education. 6, 177-196.

Benefits

for

Stu

dents

• Engagement• Promotes creativity• Supports collaboration

• Motivation• Tasks they are interested in• Relevancy• Reflection of real world

skills and knowledge

Choate J..S & Evans S.S. (1992). Authentic assessment of special learner: Problems or promise? Preventing School Failure, 37(1), 6-9Svinicki, M.D. (2004). Authentic assessment: Testing in reality. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 100, 23-29.Baron, M. A. & Boschee, F. (1995). Authentic assessment: The key to unlocking student success. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company

Benefits

for

Stu

dents

• Value in what they are

learning• Skills and knowledge can

be tested in context • Help students in mastering a

particular skill or idea• Focuses on analytical skills

and integration of knowledge• Multiple benefits for

students with Special

Needs• Gives students multiple

chances to perform• Meet their skill level

Choate J..S & Evans S.S. (1992). Authentic assessment of special learner: Problems or promise? Preventing School Failure, 37(1), 6-9Svinicki, M.D. (2004). Authentic assessment: Testing in reality. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 100, 23-29.Baron, M. A. & Boschee, F. (1995). Authentic assessment: The key to unlocking student success. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company

Challe

nges

for

Stu

dents

• Subjective• Dependent on perceptions

• May lead to bias• Fair assessment• Time intensive• Need facilitation• Students with special

needs• Short term and long term

goals• Fairness• Difficulty of tasksChoate J..S & Evans S.S. (1992). Authentic assessment of special learner: Problems or promise? Preventing School Failure, 37(1), 6-9Svinicki, M.D. (2004). Authentic assessment: Testing in reality. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 100, 23-29.Baron, M. A. & Boschee, F. (1995). Authentic assessment: The key to unlocking student success. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company.

Jigsa

w A

ctiv

ity

• At each table there is a

piece of jigsaw puzzle with a

subject written on it. • As group create an authentic task and the

assessment of this task for

that subject. • At each table there is an

exemplar to show you what

an authentic task and

assessment looks like. • Be creative, use which ever

grade you wish.

Quest

ions?

Reso

urc

es

Cumming, J. J. & Maxwell, G. S. (1999).

Contextualizing authentic assessment.

Assessment in Education. 6, 177-196.

Choate J.S. & Evans S.S. (1992). Authentic

assessment of special learner: Problems or

promise? Preventing School Failure, 37(1),

6-9

Baron, M. A. & Boschee, F. (1995).

Authentic assessment: The key to

unlocking student success. Lancaster, PA:

Technomic Publishing Company.

Frey, B.B., & Schmitt, V.L. (2007). Coming

to terms with classroom assessment.

Journal of Advanced Academics, 18, 402-

423.Mueller, J. (2011). Authentic assessment

toolbox website. Retrieved from:

http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/in

dex.htmSvinicki, M.D. (2004). Authentic

assessment: Testing in reality. New

Directions for Teaching and Learning, 100,

23-29.Tanner, D.E. (2001). Authentic assessment:

A solution, or part of the problem? High

School Journal, 85, 181-498.