Abstract

To support faculty conversation and implementation regarding the educational value of authentic learning and assessment in Sport and Exercise Science practice, we must seek solutions that place the learner into the realms of ‘real-world’ experiences. In recent times, given the drivers for higher rates of graduate employment, student value-for-money, and institutional efficiencies in teaching and learning, faculties have begun to reflect more on its value to our learner experiences without necessarily offering an educational backdrop as to what it means, and how and where authentic learning and its assessment may feature within our practices. To address these issues and present colleagues with meaningful educational strategies, we have purposefully split the chapter into two parts. This first part addresses the nature of authentic learning and assessment, what it means to practice and the learner experience, and presents a framework to assist how we may construct our teaching and associated assessment choices. The second part presents a series of applied Sport and Exercise Science case studies that demonstrate how, by applying more authentic learning and assessment, we move towards a higher degree of authenticity, evoking more student empowerment and developing positive learning outcomes.