Exploring Business Students’ Perceptions of Authentic Project-Based and Work-Integrated Assessments

Abstract

This study draws on the perceptions of students who have completed authentic project-based and work-integrated assessments and explores their perception of authenticity of the assessments in terms of real work projects. In response to industry and government expectations for work-ready graduates three authentic assessments, were developed in collaboration with industry partners, covering different business program subjects. Drawing on the literature, a three-dimensional framework for authentic assessment in workplace learning was developed. These dimensions — realism, producing an authentic product, and workplace-based judgment criteria — formed the basis for thematic analysis of students' perceptions. A case study approach was used with three authentic assessment cases. Qualitative data was gathered via focus groups and surveys guided by the three-dimensional framework. Findings suggest that factors such as social environments created by engaging with industry, realistic tasks that replicated industry activities, and working in teams contributed to the perception of an authentic project-based and work-integrated assessment.