Authentic learning

Learning related to real-life or ‘authentic’ situations – the kinds of problems faced by citizens, consumers, or professionals. Advocates complain that what is taught in school has little relationship to anything people do in the world outside of school; efforts to make learning more authentic are intended to overcome that problem. Authentic learning situations require teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to organize and prioritize the tasks needed to complete the project. Learners should know what is expected before beginning their work. Consultation with others, including the teacher or instructor, is encouraged. The goal is to produce a high-quality solution to a real problem, not to see how much the learner can remember (ASCD in UNESCO-IBE, Glossary of Curriculum Terminology).

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