Importance of Authentic Assessment - A Case Study with Scale Diagrms of Grade Ten Mathematics

Abstract

The effectiveness of adopting authentic instruction and assessment methods in the teaching and learning process of mathematics in junior secondary level in schools are explored. Two comparable groups of students from grade l0 classes to follow conventional method and authentic methods are selected and the results are significantly favoring the authentic instructional and assessment methods in students' achievements. The differences were significant at p=0.01 in the achievement of higher order thinking skills. Similarly the three learning outcomes subjected to the study of two comparable groups were also significantly different at p=0.05. The study revealed that, the authentic instruction and assessments bring a positive effect on higher order thinking abilities. Authentic approach provides opportunities to the students to develop the 21't century skills beside the mathematical knowledge and skills.