Authentic assessment emphasizes the application of knowledge and skills in contexts that mirror real-world practice. In health sciences education, authentic assessment tasks—such as clinical simulations, case analyses, portfolios, and project-based evaluations—measure how effectively learners can integrate theory with practice. These approaches align evaluation with the competencies and professional judgment required in health care settings.

In both didactic and clinical environments, authentic assessment supports deeper learning, promotes reflective practice, and enhances students' readiness for professional roles. It shifts evaluation from recall-based testing toward demonstration of learning in complex, realistic situations that reflect professional standards and values.

TLC-To-Go is a production of the Teaching and Learning Center at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Effective presentations are audience-centered. They keep the audience focused while they are informed or persuaded. Effective presentation techniques ensure that your students and peers engage with your ideas in a meaningful way. Mastering the art of effective presentations can even help you to win friends or influence people.

Rubrics are an assessment tool that guide grading by articulating specific components of assignments and communicating expectations for those components. Rubrics lend themselves to assessments where it is important to communicate high expectations, provide targeted feedback, and demonstrate learning priorities. When provided to students and used for assessment, rubrics purposefully communicate your expectations and priorities.