Part of me thinks that Authentic Assessment (AA) is a great way to evaluate learning because I can identify with learning by doing. AA considers learning behavior from actions and specific events. However, Traditional Assessment (TA) also provides an opportunity to see how the learner’s mind manipulated the information. Nevertheless, Professor John Mueller (2014) asserts that teachers don’t have to choose between the two; one assessment compliments the other. Suzy, you gave great example of TA characterization of instructor-centered and AA characterized as student-centered. I agree that teachers have more control of the learning environments with TA; while AA as you noted, is key to student engagement because it covers the process of learning not just specific event. I see why it’s a better fit for online learning. In order to evaluate what a language learner can do with the language, a student must be evaluated using various performance tasks and assessments.
Eric Sheninger (2014) also agrees that AA provides a more meaningful context for learning. He stated that through problem-based learning, students learn how to use an interactive process of assessing. Furthermore, authentic learning involves presentation of findings beyond the classroom audience. AA promotes social learning and real-world problem solving. Ideally, there should be a balance. Teaching curriculum is important; this approach targets a specific area and isolates that area for assessment. TA provides little evidence of what a language learner actually can do with the language. Yet, you cannot overlook the benefit of hands-on, experiential training. The examples found online discussing the differences between the two, used a great car example and showed the practically of learning AA over TA; some demonstrated tasks are the best teachers.
Suzy, this was a great analysis; have you determined why educators should use both assessments to accurately evaluate the students’ achievements. Which assessment would you prefer to use? References
Mueller, J. (2014). What is Authentic Assessment. Retrieved from Authentic Assessment Toolbox: http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/whatisit.htm
Sheninger, E. (2014). Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. Retrieved June 4, 2015
HI Suzy,
ReplyDeleteGood work here! How do you currently use assessments in the work you do? How might you change what you do to be more authentic?
Suzy (comment from Tynisa Haskins),
ReplyDeletePart of me thinks that Authentic Assessment (AA) is a great way to evaluate learning because I can identify with learning by doing. AA considers learning behavior from actions and specific events. However, Traditional Assessment (TA) also provides an opportunity to see how the learner’s mind manipulated the information. Nevertheless, Professor John Mueller (2014) asserts that teachers don’t have to choose between the two; one assessment compliments the other. Suzy, you gave great example of TA characterization of instructor-centered and AA characterized as student-centered. I agree that teachers have more control of the learning environments with TA; while AA as you noted, is key to student engagement because it covers the process of learning not just specific event. I see why it’s a better fit for online learning. In order to evaluate what a language learner can do with the language, a student must be evaluated using various performance tasks and assessments.
Eric Sheninger (2014) also agrees that AA provides a more meaningful context for learning. He stated that through problem-based learning, students learn how to use an interactive process of assessing. Furthermore, authentic learning involves presentation of findings beyond the classroom audience. AA promotes social learning and real-world problem solving. Ideally, there should be a balance. Teaching curriculum is important; this approach targets a specific area and isolates that area for assessment. TA provides little evidence of what a language learner actually can do with the language. Yet, you cannot overlook the benefit of hands-on, experiential training. The examples found online discussing the differences between the two, used a great car example and showed the practically of learning AA over TA; some demonstrated tasks are the best teachers.
Suzy, this was a great analysis; have you determined why educators should use both assessments to accurately evaluate the students’ achievements. Which assessment would you prefer to use?
References
Mueller, J. (2014). What is Authentic Assessment. Retrieved from Authentic Assessment Toolbox: http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/whatisit.htm
Sheninger, E. (2014). Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. Retrieved June 4, 2015