What aspects of authentic assessment do people find confusing or contradicting?
Time consuming and expensive for students and teacher
Many people believe that in order to enforce authentic assessment the costing and time that each school takes promoting, implementing and planning will not be worth the end result. However the costing can be deceptive, in comparison to a multiple choice standardized test which costs 1c per student compared to an authentic assessment piece which costs $2 per student, the gains to the teachers professional development and student learning are great (Wiggins, 2011).
Some areas may be disadvantaged in regards to resources
As authentic assessment is a glimpse of what the future will offer for the assessment of students, the internet is a very large part of that future. As many authentic assessment items are ICT based it can be hard for rural schools and communities to have access to these expensive and high end resources (Williams, 2005). However with the right professional development and training teachers will be able to uses authentic assessment if internet and ICT connections are limited. Some of the asses-able items may include; non digital portfolios, inquiry based learning, role play, excursions out of the school grounds and creating models or gardens.
Authentic Assessment may not be fair
Fairness does not exist when the assessment is uniformed, standardized, impersonal and absolute. Rahter it exists when assessment is appropriate, personalized, natural, flexible.When it can be changed to target specific strengths and levels of difficulty that is relevant to the student. Authentic assessment should highlight the strengths and weaknesses of students however it should not rank or compare students but display their knowledge and skills in ways appropriate to the content and relevancy to the students (Funderstanding, 2011).
Collaborative assessment may be difficult to mark
In order to assess students in a collaborative situation a specially designed rubric or criterial sheet will be used to separate individual contributions and team work to assess students as an an individual and a team player (Carleton College, 2010). Students may also be able to contribute to their grade by evaluating themselves as well as their peers on working as a group.
Professional development may be necessary for teachers
In order for teachers to enable authentic assessment into their classrooms, they need to ensure that they have learnt how to implement, revise and discuss with other teachers about the instructional techniques related to authentic assessment and its purpose in the curriculum (National Association of Secondary School Principals, 2007). Professional development in this area will ensure teachers are up to date on the latest information regarding authentic assessment. However teachers can also prepare for authentic assessment before undertaking professional development by identifying ways that existing classroom practices, school structures, and expectations connect to authentic assessment within the school.