What are some ways to promote digital literacy and 21st-century skills with assessments?

1 Use authentic tasks

One way to promote digital literacy and 21st-century skills with assessments is to use authentic tasks that reflect real-world situations and problems. Authentic tasks allow learners to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts, and to demonstrate their understanding in multiple ways. For example, you can ask learners to create a digital portfolio, a multimedia presentation, a blog post, or a podcast on a topic of their choice or interest. You can also use project-based learning, where learners work in teams to design and implement a solution to a complex challenge. Authentic tasks can also incorporate elements of gamification, such as badges, levels, feedback, and rewards, to motivate and engage learners.

3 Use self and peer assessment

A third way to promote digital literacy and 21st-century skills with assessments is to use self and peer assessment, where learners evaluate their own and each other's work. Self and peer assessment can help learners develop metacognitive skills, such as reflection, self-regulation, and goal-setting. They can also help learners develop social skills, such as giving and receiving feedback, respecting different perspectives, and working cooperatively. You can use self and peer assessment as formative or summative assessments, and as part of the learning process or the final product. You can also use digital tools, such as online surveys, quizzes, rubrics, or portfolios, to facilitate self and peer assessment.

4 Use adaptive and differentiated assessment

A fourth way to promote digital literacy and 21st-century skills with assessments is to use adaptive and differentiated assessment, where you tailor the assessment to the individual needs and abilities of the learners. Adaptive and differentiated assessment can help learners access the content and demonstrate their learning in ways that suit their preferences, strengths, and challenges. They can also help you provide personalized support and feedback, and to adjust the level of difficulty and complexity of the assessment. You can use adaptive and differentiated assessment by offering choices, options, or alternatives for the learners, such as different formats, modes, media, or topics. You can also use digital tools, such as adaptive learning systems, learning analytics, or artificial intelligence, to customize the assessment.

5 Use feedback and reflection

A fifth way to promote digital literacy and 21st-century skills with assessments is to use feedback and reflection, where you and the learners exchange information and insights about the learning process and the outcomes. Feedback and reflection can help learners improve their learning, identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and set goals for future learning. They can also help you evaluate the effectiveness of your teaching, identify the needs and achievements of the learners, and plan for further instruction. You can use feedback and reflection as part of the formative or summative assessment, and as a continuous or intermittent activity. You can also use digital tools, such as online forums, chats, blogs, or portfolios, to facilitate feedback and reflection.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?