Module 5 – Authentic Assessment

Module Description:
This module provides preservice teachers with an in-depth understanding of authentic
assessment, its principles, types, and implementation strategies. It aims to equip them with the
knowledge and skills to design and apply authentic assessments in diverse classroom settings.

Objectives:
By the end of this module, preservice teachers should be able to:

1. Define authentic assessment and explain its importance in education.

2. Differentiate authentic assessment from traditional assessment.
3. Identify and describe various types of authentic assessment.
4. Design authentic assessment tasks aligned with learning objectives and outcomes.
5. Implement authentic assessment strategies in a classroom setting.
6. Evaluate the effectiveness of authentic assessments and provide constructive feedback.

Lesson 1: Understanding Authentic Assessment

● Definition and Characteristics of Authentic Assessment

Authentic assessment is a method of evaluating students' learning by asking them

to perform real-world tasks that require them to apply their knowledge and skills in a
meaningful way, mimicking situations they would encounter in their personal or
professional lives, rather than simply recalling facts through traditional testing methods;
key characteristics include being realistic, complex, contextualized, allowing for multiple
approaches, and providing opportunities for feedback and reflection.

Its key characteristics are:

1. Real-world application- Tasks closely resemble situations students would face

outside the classroom, requiring them to apply knowledge in practical context.
2. Complex tasks - Assessments involve multifaceted problems that demand critical
thinking, analysis, and synthesis of information, not just single-answer questions..
3. Multiple approaches - Students are allowed to demonstrate their understanding
through various methods, fostering creativity and diverse perspectives.
4. Authentic audience - Tasks may involve presenting work to a real audience, like
peers, experts, or the community, adding relevance and accountability.
5. Feedback and revision- Students receive ongoing feedback to refine their work
and improve their understanding throughout the assessment process.
6. Self-reflection- Encourages students to analyze their own learning process and
identify areas for improvement.
7. Performance-based - Assessment focuses on what students can "do" with their
knowledge rather than just what they know.
8. Rubrics for evaluation - Clear criteria are used to assess student performance,
ensuring consistency and transparency.
9. Collaboration - May involve working with peers to solve problems or complete
tasks, mirroring real-world collaboration scenarios.

Some examples of authentic assessments are the following:

Creating a business plan:

 Students design a comprehensive business plan, demonstrating their understanding of
market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategies.

Conducting a research project and presenting findings:

Students research a topic, analyze data, and present their conclusions in a format
relevant to the field of study (e.g., poster, oral presentation).

Developing a portfolio of work:

Students compile a collection of their best work over time, showcasing their progress
and growth in a specific skill or area of study.

Simulating a real-world scenario:

Role-playing a professional situation (e.g., a doctor conducting a patient interview) to

demonstrate application of knowledge and skills.

• Comparing Traditional and Authentic Assessments

While traditional assessment focuses on testing knowledge recall through

methods like multiple-choice questions, authentic assessment aims to evaluate a student's
ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world situations by asking them to perform
tasks that mimic real-life scenarios, often requiring higher-order thinking skills;
essentially, traditional assessments test "what you know," while authentic assessments
demonstrate "what you can do.".

Traditional assessments often prioritize memorization and recall of facts, whereas

authentic assessments emphasize applying knowledge to solve problems or complete
tasks relevant to real-world contexts.

Traditional assessments typically involve standardized tests with multiple-choice

questions, while authentic assessments might include presentations, portfolios,
simulations, projects, or performance-based tasks.

Authentic assessments often encourage deeper levels of critical thinking, analysis,

and synthesis, whereas traditional assessments may primarily test lower-level cognitive
skills like recognition and recall.

For the most part, traditional assessments are designed to provide quick statistical
data. The assessments do not typically require higher-order or higher-level thinking as
defined by Bloom. Authentic assessments can be and typically are designed to encourage
higher-order thinking skills.

• Importance of Authentic Assessment in 21st-Century Learning

Authentic assessment is crucial in the 21st century because it effectively evaluates

students' ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world situations, fostering critical
thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity - key "21st century skills"
essential for success in education and the modern workforce; unlike traditional testing,
authentic assessments provide a more accurate picture of a student's capabilities by
requiring them to engage with complex tasks that mimic real-life challenges.

Study the semi-detailed lesson plans below. Use the following question to guide you in
analyzing each.
1. How do the lesson plans differ in terms of Objectives, Learning Activities and
assessment method?

Comparing Sample Lesson Plans Using Traditional and Authentic Assessments

Lesson Traditional Authentic

Title
Lesson Understanding Nouns Describing My Community
Title
Grade Elementary Elementary
Level
Lesson 45 minutes 60 minutes
Duration

Objectives Define nouns and identify their Identify nouns found in the community.
types.
Create a visual presentation describing
Classify words as common or their community.
proper nouns.
Present findings to the class.
Complete a written quiz on nouns.
Materials Flashcards Art materials (paper, crayons, markers)

Worksheets Mobile devices (optional for research)

Chalkboard and markers Rubric for project assessment

Lesson 1. Introduction (10 1. Introduction (10 minutes):
Procedure minutes):
Discuss why knowing nouns is important
Review prior knowledge about in daily life.
words.
Show pictures of different community
Introduce the concept of nouns places and identify the nouns.
with examples.
2. Activity (30 minutes):
2. Lesson Proper (20
minutes): Students create a poster with pictures and
labels of nouns found in their community.
Discuss the types of nouns
(common and proper). Encourage creativity and real-world
connections.
Provide examples and ask
students to classify words. 3. Presentation and Feedback (20
minutes):
3. Assessment (15 minutes):
Students present their posters to the class.
Students complete a worksheet
with multiple-choice and short- Teacher and peers provide feedback using
answer questions. a rubric.

Teacher checks and provides

 feedback.
Assessment Written quiz (Traditional Project-based assessment (Authentic
Method assessment) assessment)

Individual participation Peer feedback

Rubric-based evaluation

Lesson 2: Designing Authentic Assessments

● Aligning Authentic Assessments with Learning Objectives

Aligning authentic assessment with learning objectives means designing

assessment tasks that directly reflect the intended learning outcomes, ensuring students
are demonstrating their abilities in a real-world context, while still clearly measuring the
specific skills and knowledge outlined in the learning objectives; essentially, creating
assessments that mimic real-life scenarios while accurately evaluating if students have
achieved the desired learning goals.

For example if the learning objective is “Students will be able to critically analyze
and interpret data from a scientific experiment,” students may be asked to design a
research project where students collect data on a relevant topic, analyze the results using
appropriate statistical methods, and present their findings in a scientific report format,
including a discussion of limitations and implications.

● Creating Real-World Assessment Tasks

To create real-world assessment tasks, first identify the learning objectives you
want to assess, then design tasks that closely mirror real-life scenarios where students
would apply that knowledge and skills, ensuring the task is relevant, complex, and allows
for multiple interpretations while providing a clear rubric for scoring based on specific
criteria; essentially, making students "practice" the skill as they would in a professional
setting.

● Ensuring Reliability and Validity in Authentic Assessments

To ensure an authentic assessment is both reliable and valid, you need to carefully
design the assessment tasks to directly align with the learning objectives, use clear and
consistent scoring criteria through well-developed rubrics, involve multiple forms of
evidence collection, and incorporate peer review or external moderation to minimize bias
and ensure consistency in grading

Lesson 3:

● Strategies for Effective Implementation

1. Align with Learning Objectives: Ensure that assessment tasks reflect the intended
learning outcomes and real-world applications.
2. Use Clear and Transparent Rubrics: Provide students with well-defined criteria
for evaluation to guide their performance.
 3. Incorporate Student Voice and Choice: Allow students to have input in designing
assessments, making them more engaged and invested in their learning.
4. Integrate Assessment into Daily Learning: Authentic assessments should be part
of regular instructional activities rather than standalone tasks.
5. Encourage Collaboration: Facilitate group projects and peer assessments to
promote teamwork and critical thinking.
6. Use Technology Effectively: Leverage digital tools for creating, submitting, and
evaluating authentic assessment tasks.
7. Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer timely and specific feedback that helps
students reflect and improve their work.

Strategies for Evaluating Authentic Assessments

1. Use Multiple Assessment Methods: Combine different assessment types

(e.g., portfolios, projects, and presentations) for a holistic view of student
learning.
2. Apply a Variety of Rubrics: Utilize analytic and holistic rubrics to ensure
fair and comprehensive evaluation.
3. Encourage Self- and Peer Assessment: Empower students to reflect on
their own learning and provide feedback to peers.
4. Focus on Process and Product: Evaluate both how students arrive at their
final work and the quality of their final output.
5. Document and Reflect on Outcomes: Keep records of assessments and
review results to inform instructional improvements.

● Summary:

When creating assessments for students, it’s important to evaluate just how much the student is
retaining the information they are being taught. Authentic assessments are designed to do this by
preparing students for skills needed for career success, providing more meaningful learning, and
supporting the student’s growth and competencies.

References:

https://www.coastal.edu/media/administration/honorsprogram/pdf/Nikki%20Brawley%20%202009.pdf

https://samudrapublisher.com/index.php/jpgenus/article/download/251/192/2707

https://www.teaching.unsw.edu.au/authenticassessment#:~:text=Forensic%20problem%2Dsolving
%20can%20be%20combined%20with%20dramatisations,and%20real%2Dlife%20interest
%20established%20by%20the%20scenario.

Traditional vs. Authentic Assessment. (2012). Retrieved from

http://www.cssvt.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Traditional-vs-Authentic-
Assessment.pdf

Prepared by:
Grace F. Fradejas
Asst. Professor IV

Name: Date:

Module 5- Authentic Assessment

Instruction: Create two (2) semi-detailed lesson plans using authentic assessments. Follow the format
shown in Comparing Sample Lesson Plans Using Traditional and Authentic Assessments

Lesson Plan 1 Lesson Plan 2

Lesson Title
Grade Level
Lesson
Duration

Objectives

Materials
Lesson
Procedure

Assessment
Method