Sherrilyn,
What a great idea! That is so important to see the value of the skill in their own world. Do you enjoy seeing students using their skill to change the way of doing something?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ola,
Yes, you want to have students use their knowledge and/or skills in a real world setting so they can see the content in context.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have used authentic assessment in my online courses in the form of portfolios. Portfolios are heavily relied on in my industry so we do a lot of work with them. Using them in an online course is a great way for them to construct their portfolio, while receiving multiple forms of feedback from different sources. (Myself as the instructor, as well as peers.)
We use YouTube a lot with our online portion of our curriculum. We have the students view videos, and we also show students how to post their videos and make their own blogs.
PErformance and observation assessments have been utilize in courses I've taught, both online and F2F. I've also included and created my own mid term assessment/evaluation. If i get the sense that students are not performing well (and confirmed after the first exam, I devise my own set of assessment/evaluation questions (nor more than 5) to get a feel of what students like and dislike about the course (e.g., teaching style, texts use, etc.). This has helped me revise my approach to the course.
Anthony
The majority of my students are professionals. They may currently be working or taking classes as a way to prepare for a new career path. Since the class I am teaching is a beginner’s computer class, I often take a few minutes during class, to ask students how what we are learning can be used within the “real†world. How would they use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint?
Also, this class is very hands on, so I am able to observe how they are grasping and retaining the information from one lesson to the next.
I teach health science courses and I have to admit that the amount of authentic assessments is fairly low. However, I do try to emphasize those students who bring real world experience to the online discussions and assignments as a way to highlight the topics and illustrate concepts.
I agree Austin! Observing the quality of students' posting to questions in discussion forums is an excellent way to do alternative assessments.
Cynthia
I have used portfolios in my creative writing classes and do an overall assessment mid-way through course and then, again at the end by evaluating their revisions. Students also write a reflective essay discussing their creative process and analyze the differences between first drafts and final work. This has been helpful in evaluating students' prior learning and accumulated learning at the end of the course.
In my composition courses, I use a rubric for each assignment. At the end of the course, students revise a research paper, and their revision is assessed for the common assessment required in all General Education courses.
Cynthia Armes
I haven't used authentic assessment yet; however I do see the benefit of it, as it allows the student to add their experience and skills acquired into their portfolios.
Juliet,
Wow, you have really worked through this. You are so smart having the students teach. We all learn so much when we are responsible for others learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Earl,
I think this is such a smart idea. No only are you using authentic assessments but you are developing their classmate relationships that still very important in an online course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Cathleen,
What a great idea! Experiential learning in a online course. . . who knew!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I bring real-life drama into my courses, as I believe it is important to pick your head up out of a book. I manage this through students "being the teacher" and teaching the class through use of technology (powerpoint, video, youtube...etc) to breathe life into learning examples...which I grade through the use of a rubric.
I have used authentic assessments by having students develop a research project. Students can choose a topic on anything that interest then as it relates to their psychology or sociology class. They create an outline and develop a ruff draft. There is a peer review component where they evaluate each other's paper. Student are able to connect what they are learning in class and see how it relates to the real world.
I have the students go to a cultural museum near them. They need to write an essay describing the musem and evaluating it.
Ben,
You make a great point regarding the importance of discussion. You are right, you can determine learning in the words they use.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Mary,
Do you think it helps students determine their best work? When students have the contents of their portfolio they have to demonstrate their learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I am usually able to tell which students are getting the material and which students are not by how they respond and interact with others in discussion forums. Having great discussions there that include good follow up questions for other students really inspire the critical thinking to continue.
Randy,
Great post. Making that connection to the real world with the content of the course is so important to the student.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
