Erica,
Great post. I think it also makes students develop critical thinking regarding the evaluation of other students' papers. They need to learn to be able to give constructive feedback and they need to write it well too.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Yes. Students’ were asked within a discussion forum to list different job responsibilities for a Patient Registrar, Coder, and Accounts Receivable Specialist. In addition, what kind of tools and resources each title utilized to successfully accomplish daily tasks? By learning the different job responsibilities for each title and demonstrating which one interest students’ the most, students’ started utilizing additional learning resources to help them become proficient and knowledgeable within the healthcare field.
Sabrina S.
Sabrina,
Great idea! You really have to make the connection to your course's content to the real world and discussion is such a good way to do that.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree, I think that the rubric helps the student stay focused on what the expectations are for the assignment. It is easy to loose track of the assignment goals and the rubric helps the student stay focused.
I have used Authentic assessment by providing discussion topics that relate to something occurring currently. I also ask the learner to provide examples from their current or past life/work situations. They must explain the situation in depth as a journal entry.
Valerie Miller
Cristy,
You are right and it helps me stay focus when I evaluate their papers. It makes me more objective too.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Valerie,
What great strategies. The connection to work/life situations adds a richness to the learning and provides the connection many students need to help with their learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In my course discussion board we do use real world scenarios to get students to discuss the topic and apply it to the scenario in order to find a solution or solve an issue. Here they apply the course material to the real life situation in hopes that what is learned in the course they will mimic when they are in their own work environment. Does this count as an authentic assessment?
Thank you
Kimberley,
I would! You want them to make the connection with their learning to the real world so the can see how to use ti and then assimilate it in their own professional lives.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I am a strong advocate of using authentic assessment in online courses. I use short answers, essays, and rubrics. These assessments allow me to see what the students know and don't know, and how well they can apply their knowledge per the learning objectives of the class. You are able to assess these types of things in traditional assessments (i.e. multiple choice), but authentic assessments hinder the student's ability to hide behind the question. I explain to each student up front that such problems should be solved using real world situations because it allows the student and myself to see how well they have absorbed the information, and are able to transfer the information. As for rubrics, they can be difficult to develop, but I found that they bring a level of equity and consistency to the grading process, and also decrease the amount of time spent making evaluations. Most of all, the students have a road up of sorts to determine how their answers should be developed. This information is made know to the students prior to the beginning of the term so they know what to expect, and what are my expectations in the class.
The class I teach has lab assignments. The lab assignments are real world things that the student will have to do when they finish the program and are in the job they want to be in. I think they are very important to have early on to see if the profession is for you.
The only authentic assessment I have had experience with teaching online is in regard to portfolios (usually in a capstone course). It provides students an opportunity to put together the best examples of their written work, learning applications, and allows them to reflect and showcase the best of the best. Eric
This will be a new area for us to also start using
Hi Dr. Wilkinson
In the past I have been asking question that are not just open-end, but require a person to use life exercises to support the question. I have seen students learn more from one another in the at matter. It like someone that has walked in your shoes would only understand you. With that thought many more students would provide long black board postings.
I have used authentic assessments in my online course through virtual labs which allow the student to use various types of software. The simulation allows students to use scenarios that they may see in the real world. This experience helps the student to envision how they will use what they have learned on the job.
Aundrea,
What a great strategy to measure learning. Thank you for sharing. You want to make sure students can use the learning. I too prefer the tie to the workforce. It is so important. It also gives students the opportunities to show how they can use it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Heather,
You are right. It is so important they can take the knowledge and skills to use in the workplace.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Eric,
I think the portfolio is such a great option for assessment. Students have to make critical decisions on what they think is important. That is an important skill.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Richard,
What will? How do you see yourself using it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Juan ,
What a great technique! That is a great way to have students to stretch their learning. You want them to be able to share so others see application.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
