Authentic Online Assessments

From Traditional Assessment to Authentic Assessment

Authentic assessment supports the belief that students need to perform meaningful tasks in the real world in order to become productive citizens. To help students become proficient in the real world, they should build competency in tasks by taking on “real-world challenges”^[1] in collaborative, multidimensional ways.

Through authentic assessment, learners demonstrate achievement by applying their knowledge. Authentic assessment measures the application of knowledge rather than the content knowledge itself.

Learners also become more acutely aware of their own skill development and learn to clearly articulate their skills and how they might work to improve in certain skill areas.

Examples of authentic assessments ^[2] include:

• public-facing presentations, videos, posters, podcasts, infographics, etc.
• systems mapping
• sharing circles
• proposals
• and more.

Knowledge Check: Traditional or Not? (MOVED TO TRADITIONAL ASSESSMENT CHAPTER)

Let’s review your understanding of traditional assessments in a short activity.

Here are some examples of assessments that are common in virtual learning environments. Each is assessing student knowledge of military service of Indigenous Peoples and Black Canadians. Review each assessment below and indicate if it is a traditional assessment or not (let’s call it “authentic” assessment). If you are not sure, select “not sure”. If you are incorrect, check the explanation that supports each response.

Review Activity: Traditional vs. Authentic Assessment

Consider these contrasting approaches. For the dialogue cards below, read the traditional assessment, and consider an alternative authentic assessment. Then, flip the card to view an option we’ve come up with.^[3]

Assessment is subjugated by a Western worldview…much of the mainstream culture-infused, linguistic-laden practices of assessment disadvantage Indigenous students.^[4]

Integrating online assessment practices that prioritize human experience and individual learning can foster inclusive learning environments and encourage learners to create their own transformative learning experiences. Furthermore, equitable and inclusive assessment design can help to dismantle systemic inequities caused by racism, bias and discrimination.^[5]

Challenges to Authentic Assessment

Transforming from traditional to authentic modes of assessment may seem daunting and counterintuitive for some faculty. Here are some common concerns expressed by faculty. Click on each quote to review a response/counterargument:

As you go through the types and examples of online assessment in this module, consider how each assessment meets these criteria for effective online design.

Four Types of Authentic Online Assessment

In this section, we will overview four types of student-centred online assessment. For each assessment type, review examples of techniques that help to improve the quality of our assessment design to improve student learning.

All four types of assessment should be frequent and ongoing throughout your course. However, when planning your assessment strategy, prioritize formative low-stakes assessment over high-stakes assessment to limit burnout for students and instructors alike. For graded assessments, ensure that the expected workload for students is reasonable for the weighting of the task.

High Quality Online Assessment Strategies

Here are some online assessment strategies that

• encourage authentic learning experiences,
• reduce barriers to learning, and
• support learner variability.

Most of these strategies offer learners a choice of modality to share their knowledge and demonstrate skill. Consider offering a choice of digital tools to present and submit work. Try to integrate authentic opportunities for learning while doing the assessment.

Be prepared to conduct a quick Google search on free and accessible digital tools that can facilitate the design and delivery of these assessment activities and practices.

Review these strategies. Which ones are most intriguing to you? Click on the links to explore further.

Prior Knowledge Assessment Strategies

Formative Assessment Strategies

Demonstration of Learning Strategies

Reflection as Learning