How can you use LMSs to design authentic assessments?

2 Align the assessment with the learning outcomes

One of the key principles of authentic assessment is alignment. This means that the assessment should match the learning outcomes and competencies that you expect your students to achieve by the end of the course or program. To ensure alignment, you can use the LMS to create and communicate the learning outcomes and competencies clearly and explicitly. You can also use the LMS to create and share rubrics or criteria that describe the levels of performance and expectations for the assessment. By doing so, you can help your students understand what they need to learn and how they will be evaluated.

3 Provide opportunities for practice and feedback

Another key principle of authentic assessment is practice and feedback. This means that the assessment should provide opportunities for students to practice their skills and receive feedback on their progress and performance. Practice and feedback can help students improve their learning, self-regulation, and confidence. You can use the LMS to provide practice and feedback in various ways. For example, you can use the quiz feature to create formative or low-stakes quizzes that test students' understanding and give them immediate feedback. You can also use the assignment or portfolio feature to create drafts or milestones that allow students to submit their work and receive feedback from you or their peers.

4 Incorporate real-world scenarios and contexts

Another key principle of authentic assessment is relevance and meaning. This means that the assessment should incorporate real-world scenarios and contexts that are related to the discipline, profession, or field of study. Real-world scenarios and contexts can make the assessment more engaging, challenging, and applicable for students. You can use the LMS to incorporate real-world scenarios and contexts in various ways. For example, you can use the discussion or assignment feature to create case studies, simulations, or problem-based learning tasks that require students to apply their knowledge and skills to realistic situations. You can also use the portfolio or e-portfolio feature to create capstone projects, internships, or service-learning tasks that require students to demonstrate their learning in authentic settings.

5 Use multiple and varied sources of evidence

Another key principle of authentic assessment is validity and reliability. This means that the assessment should use multiple and varied sources of evidence to measure students' learning and performance. Multiple and varied sources of evidence can increase the accuracy, fairness, and comprehensiveness of the assessment. You can use the LMS to use multiple and varied sources of evidence in various ways. For example, you can use the quiz or assignment feature to create multiple-choice, short-answer, or essay questions that test different aspects of students' knowledge and skills. You can also use the portfolio or e-portfolio feature to create portfolios that include different types of artifacts, such as papers, presentations, videos, or podcasts, that showcase students' learning and achievements.