This blog is a project of NU 600 - Psychology of Learning in Nursing. Submitted for fulfillment of an assignment of University of North Alabama's Master's in Nursing Leadership program.

Definition of Authentic Activities

Authentic activities are activities described as “tasks identical or similar to those that children will eventually encounter in the outside world” (Ormrod, 2008, p.343). These different activities prepare students for activities that resembles a real life activity that they will encounter at some point in the future. When these different activities are incorporated into school curriculum, the student are sometimes able to form a mental connection between the information they have received in the classroom and the real life activity (Ormrod, 2008). These are interactive activities that help students prepare for something they may encounter when in the work force.

Elements of Authentic Activites

These type of activities are used and applied in the classrooms to allow students to participate in things that will prepare them for real life. These activities mimic situations that the students could be presented with in their real life career. These different activities can be developed by the educator in order to allow the students to develop needed knowledge and skills. Certain elements should be used when creating these certain activities (Curtin University of Technology, 2011). As listed below, these elements should be used when developing the activities:

• "Is the activity authentic?
• Does it require learners to work collaboratively and use their experiences as a starting point?
• Are the learners allowed to learn from their mistakes?
• Does the activity have value beyond the learning setting?
• Does the activity build skills that can be used beyond the life of the course?
• Do learners have a way to implement their outcomes in a meaningful way?"

(Curtin University of Technology, 2011, p.1)

http://cel.curtin.edu.au/ePedagogy/eLearning_activities/authentic.cfm

Different Authentic Activities

There are many different activities that are found to be authentic activities. Although some are specialized to your degree of career, some can be used with any educational experience to engage the students. The following are some activities that are classified as authentic activities:

• Scenarios
• Role play
• Case Studies
• Problem based activities
• Debate participation
• Experiments
• Creating a computer program
• Participating a clinical experience
• Developing a web page or blog
• Participate in a skills lab

(Curtin University of Technology, 2011, p.3) and (Ormrod, 2008, p.343)

 

The ten characteristics of authentic activities are:

1.) The activity has a real world relevance to the students.

2.) With these activities, students must define the activities and all the task that are also needed to complete the task.

3.) The activities present complex task that ensure the students uses critical thinking skills.

4.) The activities allow the student to look at the task for several different perspectives.

5.) The activities allow for the student to be able to collaborate with others.

6.) The activities allow for the student to be able to reflect back on the task and the choices they made.

7.) The activities can be used in a diverse field or area.

8.) The activities can be integrated into the real world.

9.) The activities allow the student to create a product individually.

10.) The activities allow the student to find a solution to a task and see the outcome that comes along with it.

(Herrington, n.d., p.4)

 

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages seem to outweigh the disadvantages when it comes to authentic activities. One of the greatest advantages is that it allows students to participate in activities that will prepare them for the adult world. These different activities can help prepare students for their future careers. It also allow students to collaborate and reflect back on their finished products. It helps the students to build critical thinking skills and professional judgments. And lastly, it helps students to connect the knowledge that have learned in the classroom setting to real life situations (Curtin University of Technology, 2011).

The noted disadvantage is that all information should not be presented through authentic activities. Basic information needs to presented in an isolated environment. All information is not presented best in authentic activities (Ormrod,2008)

Theory with Authentic Activity

Vygotsky presented the idea that the behavior a child has effects the different experiences they go through in life. His theory points out that the environment effects the child cognitive growth. His theory also points out that children should be given the opportunity to engage in activites that they will encounter in the real world. The theory proves that these different activities prepare children for their adult lives and are beneficial for everyone involved. This is when authentic activites are felt to be beneficial for students.

(Ormrod, 2008)