A Study of Authentic Assessment in an Internship Course

Abstract

Internship courses are an active and applied opportunity to integrate educational learning programs and courses within practice settings. Individual learners in internship courses have different work internship placements and they start a unique professional and practice journey. How can this authentic learning environment be supported with authentic assessment? What assessments are suitable for internship courses? This study explores authentic assessment concepts and the practice of internship assessment in a graduate internship course in international and intercultural communications. Students’ impressions of their internship assessments are explored with a particular focus on students’ impressions of authentic assessment, and the integration of their education and their real-world experience. To link this research to course improvement, this study also includes the instructor’s critical reflection on the course and her plans for integrating the study into her assessment practice.