My institution is also somewhat new to incorporating authentic assessment into the online courses. The difficulty at my institution is that we sometimes have limited control over building courses and adding content so I have to come up with work-arounds and creative ways to add assignments to the course. In the past, I have used case studies as discussion topics, extra credit assignments, and/or a part of term paper assignments. Within the course discussion forum, where I do have ability to change or add content, I try to incorporate real-world information such as current news stories that apply to concepts that we are discussing (which is always very popular with students in my Psychology course). I am definitely interested in finding additional ways to incorporate authentic assessment into online courses.
Kelly,
As noted else where in other posts I have used a variety of authentic assessments such as case studies, problems, current topic discussions, research, etc.
Teaching management opens up, in my opinion, everything since management must collate all disciplines to focus them on obtaining and maintaining an effective long-term successful firm--one that is sustained.
The thing I have discovered, however, in approaching it this way is to get students to actually see that to become a manager one needs to have some understanding and aptitude in all areas--they need to see the whole picture, not just pieces. Authentic assessment helps in this regard.
Donna,
That is true. Students also need to be guided to determine the quality of their work to share. It is a great lesson in self evaluation.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Susan,
You have added a word in your post that is very appropriate for this discussion and that is creativity. We do hope they use creativity to blend content with experience.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Douglas,
Don't you think that performance mimics the real world? I think you may be doing authentic assessment!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
You have to encourage them to construct their learning with their experience. If they share with others in the class, the authenticity is shared with the class. Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
Great post! The service component to an online course is interesting. Yes, business communication does lend itself to authentic assessment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Letrice,
It is a good idea to do this. Students need to determine their own good work and not so good work.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Breezy,
You are right! You want to "construct" learning including their real life experiences.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
That is a great way to assess! Case studies are so effective and it does provide the authentic/alternative assessment that combines and builds on students' experiences and learning. Nice post!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Mark,
That is important to make that connection between learning content and their world and life.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
bobbe,
Wow, you are won busy person! You have to do that for state exams; that is authentic assessment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have known some colleges / universities have used authentic assessments by requiring students to complete a portfolio as part of the program. Students build their portfolio based on experiential learning and that of the learning content of the current program. Once students have completed the program they then have a professional portfolio to present to potential employers showing the students externship and knowledge of the field. Students are able to build upon their portfolio with continued education in the field.
Students are required to complete end of course essays which serve as written examinations. These essays need to explore in depth the material covered within the course and students are also asked to provide textual evidence to support their assertions. Sometimes students may lead or include real-life scenarios which also lead evidentiary support to the essay's overall substance. This process also allows the student the creativity to relate the topic to not only the texts read, but to make real-world applications as well.
We are moving into a new curriculum with more emphasis on online training. I'll have to see and use this type of training before I can answer the question. Our current curriculum is centered on performance (hands on).
A good number of my students are also working adults and some of those are active military. I always welcome students to bring in their real world experiences in combination with the book learned material. It provides a great way to apply and relate concepts.
We use authentic assessment in Business Communications by asking students to write real-world letters and memos. This course also includes a service learning component requiring students to volunteer in some capacity within their community and then write a a short reflective summary of their experience. The act of seeking out a service learning experience, going through the experience, and then reflecting upon the experince integrate multiple aspects of business communication.
I guess this would be more if a student had to do a portfolio of an internship. My students have never had to do this, however, I did do one in grad school.
Letrice Mitchell
I would use this type of assessment on a weekly basis so that the student can see how they are progressing within the course. I think that its a good assessment that need to be implemented within online courses because it provides the student to apply all that they have learn and also share the results with the class.
Authentic assessment in online courses if effective through scenario creation. Allowing the student to step into a role in a life like situation allows them to experience some of the stress and success in their assessment. It also points out the possibilities of outcomes either positive or negative. I use this type of assessment routinely.
