Authentic learning (or active learning) is, per Steve Revington, “real life learning. It is a style of learning that encourages students to create a tangible, useful, quality product/outcome to be shared with their world.” https://openai.com/
Me: What does an authentic learning experience (including assessment) mean to you? You = AI. 😉
ChatGPT: An authentic learning experience refers to a teaching and learning approach that seeks to mirror real-world contexts, tasks, and challenges, enabling learners to engage with and apply knowledge and skills in ways that are directly relevant to their lives, future careers, and societal needs. It emphasizes the connection between classroom learning and the world beyond academia, fostering deeper understanding, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the development of practical skills.
Key characteristics of an authentic learning experience include:
Real-world Context: Learning tasks are situated in meaningful, real-world contexts that reflect the complexities and challenges of the field or subject matter. This allows learners to see the practical applications of what they're studying.
Relevance: The content and tasks are relevant to the learners' interests, future goals, and the problems they might encounter in their personal or professional lives.
Complex Problem-Solving: Learners are presented with complex problems or challenges that require them to analyze, synthesize, and apply their knowledge and skills to arrive at well-considered solutions.
Critical Thinking: Authentic learning encourages critical thinking as learners grapple with open-ended questions, make judgments, and evaluate the validity and reliability of information.
Collaboration: Collaborative activities are often integral to authentic learning experiences, simulating real-world interactions where individuals work together to achieve common goals.
Reflection: Learners are given opportunities to reflect on their learning processes, the strategies they use, and how their understanding evolves over time.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Authentic learning experiences often cut across disciplinary boundaries, recognizing that real-world challenges rarely fit neatly into a single academic discipline.
Application of Skills: Learners are required to apply a range of skills—such as research, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making—that are directly applicable in practical situations.
ChatGPT: Assessment in authentic learning experiences should align with the principles of authenticity, focusing on evaluating not only the mastery of content knowledge but also the application of that knowledge in real-world scenarios. Traditional forms of assessment, such as standardized tests, might be supplemented or replaced by more dynamic methods, including:
Projects and Presentations: Learners demonstrate their understanding by working on projects or presenting solutions to real-world problems.
Portfolios: Learners compile a collection of their work over time, showcasing their growth, skills, and accomplishments.
Case Studies and Simulations: Immersing learners in scenarios that mimic real-world situations, allowing them to apply their knowledge and make decisions as they would in actual contexts.
Peer and Self-Assessment: Encouraging learners to assess their own progress and the work of their peers, fostering a deeper understanding of criteria for success.
Authentic Assessments: Tasks that mirror the kinds of challenges professionals face in their fields, providing a more accurate gauge of learners' preparedness for the real world.
Overall, an authentic learning experience, accompanied by thoughtful authentic assessment strategies, can enhance learners' motivation, engagement, and the long-term retention of knowledge and skills.
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