1)+What+is+an+Authentic+Performance+Task?

==In the space below, describe your definition of an Authentic Performance task. This page is not for the facts, but for opinions. When you have finished, click on page 2) Learning and Research (located in the navigation bar on the left-hand side) to investigate some websites around Authentic Performance tasks . ==

An authentic performance task asks students to practice, or mirror in some way, a task they might be asked to execute in the world outside of school ("the real world"). It pulls together their learnings and demonstrates their understanding of concepts taught and practiced. Using the example of language arts, grammar worksheets are NOT authentic performance tasks, nor are spelling tests; drafting, revising and editing a letter to the editor DOES represent an authentic performance task. Shawna H.

Anna B. Authentic Perfomance tasks are based in or a simulaton of the real world. They require students to use the facts and knowledge they have learned and put them together to support proof of understanding the big idea (standardard). It is not merely answering questions but doing or creating something. Examples in social studies would be having students create a city plan for an imaginery city to be built in an area prone to some type of natural disaster. Students demonstrate their understanding of settlement patterns and why they occur thus showing how human and phyical systems interact.

Patti D. A performance task is a task that allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding by creating something real. An example in geography would be for students to create a map using data. The unit that I am working on is the Middle East. The big idea is "what is a region?". So I'm thinking that a performance task that might work with this unit is to have students create a map showing the Middle East as a region using differing criteria. The map will change based on what criteria is used. Students would have to have an understanding of mapping skills as well as the criteria by which regions are defined in order to be successful at this task.

An authentic performance task is a culminating assessment that demonstrates student understanding. It is the end goal of a unit and it is the task that helps students transfer their understanding to authentic and real world situations. Authentic performace tasks are identified early on in a unit and drive the course of study. Jenna B.

In my opinion an authentic performance task is a real, legitimate project that requires a student to utilize the facts they have learned, critical thinking and evaluation to solve a real-world problem. Some authentic taks might be short-term, while others might be longer, something a student would return to repeatedly throughout the semester or year that would end with a tangible product in the end. As described in the handout provided in our CAP class, the performance task must be real or simulate the real thing and include distractions and other problems and opportunities that adults face as they problem-solve in the work place. Additionally, students should be performing this authentic task for a “real” audience – someone beyond just the teacher – Using a wiki such as the one we are working on is a good example. Finally, another key component is that the standards by which the performance task are going to be evaluated should be public information – students should have this information up front so that they can use it to guide their work. Wendy S.

Chris P. An authentic performance task invloves students demonstrating their unique understanding of a lesson and all that it entails. The "APT" will challenge students to think for themselves, and interpret the knowledge they learned in current and all previous lessons. It does focus and apply Bloom's Taxonomy and require students to use analysis, synthesis and evaluation. It would give the students a chance to experience a real life situation. In my content area, Art, this authentic performance task would look like an end of the year gallery opening, where each student had a portfoio of work on display in the school. The kids would create invitations, write up an artist statement, and be interviewed and reveiwed by art critics and peers.

Brian V. An authentic performance task is an activity that applies the content knowledge students have gained throughout the unit to a culminating activity. This activity should be rooted in real world problem solving and have an audience other than just the teacher. An example in social studies would be to create a wall mural for the school commemorating the Lewis and Clark journey. The mural will be a collaborative effort and communicate the importance of the event, key figures, and how it has shaped America.

I believe that an authentic performance task pulls together the key concepts for a particular skill and requires the students to use their understanding to "solve" a problem. If you give students some choices within set perameters you are more likely to see improved results as compared to when you dictate all aspects of the problem. Lori P.