In Practice: Authenticity

From the Rubric

• Incomplete: There is little or no evidence of authenticity built into assessments.

• Aligned: Assessment activities lead to the demonstration of learning outcomes.

• Exemplary: Assessments are designed to mimic authentic environments to facilitate transfer.

How to Implement

In an authentic assessment, students are required to demonstrate their knowledge and skills by connecting the course content to a real-world context. These assignments allow students to showcase their talents, get creative, and share their work with a broader audience. Authentic assessments can include:

• Portfolios

• Investigations/Case Studies

• Open-Response Questions

• Proposals

• Student Video Presentations

• Reflection Papers

• Concept Maps

Additional Resources

• Article: Beyond the Essay - Making Student Thinking Visible in the Humanities

• Site: Carnegie Mellon University's Align Assessments

• Site: Jon Mueller's Authentic Assessment Toolbox