What benefit does authentic assessment provide compared to traditional assessments?

Authentic assessment is designed to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of a student's learning by emphasizing the evaluation of the learning process, not just the final output. This approach allows educators to gather insights into how students engage with the material, their thought processes, and their application of skills in real-world contexts.

By assessing student performance in a way that reflects real-life situations, authentic assessments can demonstrate a learner's ability to integrate knowledge and apply it practically. This contrasts with traditional assessments, which often focus narrowly on quantifiable scores and may only reflect what a student can recall at a specific moment in time, without offering insight into the deeper understanding or development of skills. Thus, authentic assessment supports a holistic view of student learning and growth over time.