Authentic Assessment is a movement away from more traditional types of assessment that have previously focused heavily easily-quantifiable multiple-choice style tests. Authentic Assessment strives to focus on performance and application of learning as opposed to recognition and recall. The key idea behind Authentic Assessment is moving toward assessing "worthy intellectual tasks," rather than rote recitation of immovable facts. Examples of worthy intellectual tasks -- simulating "real-world" applications of learning -- include not just writing but revising; being able to debate a point orally and back up an opinion with reasoning; or the ability to conduct scientific research.
As an English teacher, the idea I find most applicable to my work in the classroom is that students need to be able to justify their answers. To select the correct answer from a menu of A, B, and C is fine; but be able to say why you chose that answer begins to demonstrate a deeper level of learning. An idea we covered in class today that I've already applied to the classroom is involving students in the evaluation process. The idea that assessment should support the needs of learners really resonates with me. Its important that students see tests as a chance to monitor their own progress, learning, and growth. The best assessments are a part of the learning process, not just a summation after the process is over. I've already begun the process of implementing a SMART Goals process in my classes last year. This year I've expanded that idea to include the students setting specific goals before each major project, goals that have nothing to do with their grades. The students will be instructed to set a specific personalized learning goal of their choosing, and I will be working with each student individually to set goals for improving specific skill sets identified as necessary according to the results of their standardized testing. In reviewing their test scores, I hope to come to mutual agreement with the students on the areas identified by the testing as weaknesses and come to consensus on which areas they think are most important to their individual growth. This approach incorporates the data collected by the district in our testing programs, wile also involving students in identifying the things they want to work on improving. The hope, as always, is to create engaged, active learners that feel they have a stake in their education.
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Mr. Lozoya
Mr. Lozoya teaches English, and writes blogs about it. Archives
October 2020
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