Authentic context - element 1 of authentic learning

The context to which a task is set is important to preserve the authenticity of the learning process. An authentic context can be a physical or virtual environment that points to the usefulness of learning skills to solve real world problems (Herrington, 2011).

An authentic context should aim to preserve the complexity of the real-life setting or problems. The context must provide a purpose and even the motivation for why knowledge needs to be obtained to solve a posed problem. Notably, the context might not even point directly to the problems to be solved however only provide a scenario or environment for the students to identify issues to address (Herrington, 2011).

In the high school context finding an authentic context for all subjects or topics can be a challenge. I do however think that this is where collaboration between educators needs to be improved. The sharing of best practices and task ideas can aid educators in this task. The combination of subject areas can also help connect related topics to one scenario.

Another issue is that students that are not interested or very weak at a subject will not care how relevant the context is. I feel that the cross disciplinary creation of an authentic task will aid to the affordance for collaborating students to be able to work to their individual strengths within a given authentic context.

A cultural food festival can provide context for subjects like Economic Management Science with regards to sales and stock purchasing; Mathematics with regards to calculations of volume of food containers, mark-up and discounts; and Visual Arts can cover marketing with posters and stall designs.

Another Task that could be looked at is the combination of Natural Sciences and Technology. A task about electrical circuits would be ideal. The context could be to build an alarm system for a home or shop. This will require them to make observations of entry points, research components that can be used and how to connect them in circuits. The would need to draw electrical diagrams and then build the system.

Reference: Herrington, J. (2011, September 29). Authentic learning 1: AUTHENTIC CONTEXT [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/QB_EarRcoFU