Naturally, all educational institutions differ in the way that they cultivate their young. But only the best international schools in the Philippines – who understand the importance of accommodating their students fully – can truly adapt to the needs of the children. This in turn allows them to learn at their own pace. The way they learn will also affect how much they know, so it is imperative that they completely understand their lessons.
Authentic Assessment, a method used by Reedley themselves, is a form of assessment which calls upon students to display their knowledge by performing real-world scenarios.
Understanding Authentic Assessment
Authentic assessment is carried out by immersing students in controlled, real-world scenarios where they can apply the things they’ve learned in a non-artificial way. For example, literature can be practiced by keeping journals, writing letters, or discussing books. Note that failing these activities do not really have consequences, but doing them does bring in practical experience.
In effect, the experience they gain from performing such tasks are authentic, real; it helps them better understand how they can apply the things they’ve learned from school into actual real-life situations.
What Authentic Assessment can guarantee
Authentic assessment is a practical educational tool that results into several positive outcomes for its users. Its best result is that it will develop productive, self-sustaining people who are capable of performing tasks and solving problems on their own while learning from whatever mistakes they may have made. Those who have undergone authentic assessment will also be capable of confidently overcoming challenges and executing their thoughts whenever needed, leaving them fully capable of driving themselves into action.
A quick look at Traditional Assessment
What is Traditional Assessment and how does it compare to Authentic Assessment?
Traditional assessment is more conventional in the sense that testing is done through the use of written documents such as exams, quizzes, papers, and the like. Rigid, pre-determined tests with correct answers are the norm. While it may be effective when used on fact-centric subjects which only require a knowledge of the topic, it does not do so well when used for subjects that require a more practical touch. The likes of physics, literature, and physical education are better off demonstrated or experienced altogether.
On the other hand, authentic assessment focuses more on performance and in-depth problem solving with no exact right or wrong answers – just effective or non-effective ones. In the end, its goal is simply to provide practical experience.
Other terms for Authentic Assessment:
Authentic assessment can also come in other forms, and while the names differ, the outcome is the same.
- Performance assessment – like its name implies, instructors need to score students against a set standard to measure how well they did in performing a task.
- Alternative assessment – this type of assessment centers more on portfolios or projects, which are clear indicators of what a students know and what they can do with that knowledge.
- Direct assessment – is called as such because it provides a direct evidence or proof of an individual’s development. This can be seen most when learning something new such as a skill or a language.
In conclusion, Authentic Assessment is a great method for teaching students the realities of the world. Its greatest draw is that it is a type of education that is not bound by academic standards, which gives it the freedom reminiscent of the real world. The best part is that whatever experience they gain, they will have with them for the rest of their lives.
About the author:
Katrina is your average gal living inside the metro who has passion for writing, travel and photography. She admires nature at its finest and always wanted to become one of them. Dreaming to have the Cinderella life one day, humming with the birds, dancing with the clouds.
