The totality and authenticity of assessment, encompassing students` learning processes and products, can be a critical issue in a constructivist classroom. More authentic learning experiences should be provided and directly related to assessment in or...
The totality and authenticity of assessment, encompassing students` learning processes and products, can be a critical issue in a constructivist classroom. More authentic learning experiences should be provided and directly related to assessment in order to improve students` performance in the real world. In this study, a gap between the results of students` real performance during class time and the results of students` final achievement was identified. Authentic assessment was suggested as a way to close the distance of this gap. Through authentic assessment, students in a computer literacy course were observed while they were completing their assignments and were provided with systematic and timely feedback. The final achievement score was significantly different between the two groups; observation without feedback about performance was provided to one group, but observation and immediate feedback were provided to the other group. The results of this study suggest that authentic assessment and immediate feedback focusing on students` learning processes may have a positive influence on students`products. For a complete assessment, learning process should be considered with learning product in a constructivist classroom.