Authentic Learning Element 1

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"Authentic Context" - Drawing the line between abstract theories/concepts and real-world connections..

Let's explore "Authentic Context" as the first element with the video below -

Solving Real-World Problems: Bringing Authentic Context to Learning

Using the video above, I will be setting a bit of a background on what exactly an "AUTHENTIC CONTEXT" is. 

In the first classroom learning example the teacher of a set of 1st grade learners applies problem solving questions to probe and story readings to engage the minds and initial understanding on the subject of focus - Spider expedition of her learners. Further to these intial activities, students are tasked with carrying out individual research on different species of spiders, gather facts from their research and embark on a story writing projects on their chosen spider species. The research bit of their task opens these learners to a real-world connection of their subject of focus.
In the second example, Jeff Heyck-Williams - Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Two Rivers Public Charter School states " When I think about how to identify a quality problem, I think about what is the authentic context that I can situate that problem within." In this classroom learning, students are exploring the "River Ecosystem". To achieve this learning, they create websites based on a real-world environment - Anacostia River Expedition. Students here engaged with a community problem via field trips that addressed the content standard, outside experts were also brought in to give students insights  and discuss possible solutions thereby giving learners  the idea that the problem they are working on is a real world connection.


Authentic Context therefore spans beyond setting similar real-world practice examples that forms replicate images of a learning concept being taught. The key characteristics here of an authentic learning will include its all-encompassing of the context of the subject of focus providing a learning environment that is both complex and of real-world relevance. The context should mirror the way and manner the learner’s acquired knowledge will be applied, hence the real-world environment is first considered and presented.

No better way to describe Authentic context than in the words of Aaron Duff –

“Authentic learning is not discovered in a textbook, but rather at the crossroads of contemporary societal issues and student passion.”


References -
  1. Herrington, J. (2006). Authentic e-learning in higher education: Design principles for authentic learning environment and tasks. In T.C.Reeves & S.Yamashita (Eds), Proceedings of E-Learn 2006 (pp.3164-3173). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  2. Steventon, G 2016, "Authentic Learning. A route to student attainment?', in: G Steventon, D Cureton and L.Clouder, (eds.), Student Attainment in Higher Education: Issues, Controversies and Debates, 1st ed, Routledge, New York, P.98
  3. http://royalhynesight.blogspot.com/2018/10/authentic-contexts-for-learning-what.html?m=0
  4. http://blog.core-ed.org/blog/2019/07/recognising-authentic-context-in-digital-technologies.htm

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