Authentic assessment targeting sustainability outcomes: a case study exploring student perceptions

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand student experiences of authentically assessed community partnership projects and reflect on authentic assessment from a social and environmental sustainability perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The authors present an elaborated case study including graduate-level courses at a university in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The authors draw on a thematic analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews and written reflections from 18 students. Findings: Students appreciated the benefits of authentic assessment, such as workplace realism, a greater level of personal investment and opportunities to draw on diverse skills. Teams varied in how they navigated novel challenges and in their ability to develop focused projects capable of affecting change for sustainability. Students considered group work the greatest obstacle to achieving sustainability goals. Originality/value: The case study provides a novel contribution by exploring in-depth the student experience of authentic assessment activities designed to foster social and environmental sustainability outcomes. The authors provide practical limitations of authentic assessment and discuss tensions between authentic assessment and other education goals.