Mon, 12 Jan 2026 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Prior to the start of the spring semester, join this workshop to learn about authentic assessments. Like all assessments, authentic assessments involve procedures that help instructors draw inferences about student learning. However, authentic assessments are specifically designed to facilitate use of knowledge and skills in realistic personal, professional, and community settings. That is, authentic assessments provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in "real-world" settings and embrace the complexities of wicked or ill-formed problems. Authentic assessments are also designed to further facilitate transfer of knowledge, encourage deeper learning, promote metacognition and collaboration, and aid motivation to learn.
The focus of the 90-minute workshop will be to discuss the purpose of authentic assessments, outline the methods for developing authentic assessments, and provide examples from a variety of disciplines. Participants will then have time to outline an authentic assessment or improve a current authentic assessment for the spring semester and share emerging ideas with fellow participants.
Program Date & Time: Monday, January 12, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom (The meeting link will be provided either with the email registration confirmation or by email the day before the event.)
Facilitator: Lori Gano-Overway, CHBS & CFI
Genre: Workshop
Program Outcomes
- Understanding the purpose of authentic assessments
- Learning the key elements of authentic assessments
- Developing authentic assessments
- Sharing ideas and examples to support one another’s teaching practice
Attendance & Registration Information
Programs within the CFI are designed to support the development of instructional faculty and AP faculty with instructional responsibilities. We also welcome staff to many of our programs. If you are interested in attending one of our programs but do not identify with the above classifications, please email cfi@jmu.edu.
For more information on registering for our programs, please visit the CFI Programs & Events web page, which includes details on registering for programs and an instructional video on how to use the registration portal.
LOG IN: If this is your first time visiting the registration page, your account will be created automatically when you sign in with your JMU e-ID and password (Okta required). Be sure to clear your browser cache/cookies upon each visit to the registration page.
- Complete your profile information:
- Update your college/division and department (use the search feature and/or select from the dropdown) and enter your Mail Stop Code (MSC) for your department on-campus mail.
- Add comments about your dietary and accommodation needs at the bottom of the profile form. (This information is collected and stored with your online account for all future programs you may attend.)
- Once your profile is complete, you should see a status update as complete on your Dashboard (an overview of your account).
Register by Thursday, January 8, at 11:59 p.m.
Cancellations
If you find that you are unable to attend a scheduled event prior to the registration deadline, please return to your CFI Program Account and cancel your registration. If it is after the event registration deadline email cfi@jmu.edu as early as possible.
CFI programs will be canceled automatically if JMU is closed for inclement weather.
We want this program to be welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for all of our participants. Please describe any considerations or accommodations (e.g., dietary, disability, wellness, cultural, etc.) you want us to know about in your account profile. You may also reach out to us at cfi@jmu.edu or (540) 568-4846.