What is an authentic assignment?

An authentic assignment refers to tasks and activities that are designed to closely replicate real-world scenarios and applications of skills. This approach allows students to engage with the material in a meaningful way, as the assignments require them to apply their knowledge and skills to solve genuine problems or create products that resemble what they would encounter in real life.

The value of authentic assignments lies in their ability to promote deeper understanding and retention of concepts, as students are more likely to be engaged when they can see the relevance of their work to the outside world. By connecting learning to real-life contexts, students can enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. In contrast, assignments that focus solely on theoretical knowledge, group collaboration without a real-world context, or tasks limited to paper-based formats do not provide the same level of engagement or applicability.