This paper presents the Screencast-Based Assessment Technique (SBAT) for a mobile app development curriculum in the information systems discipline. SBAT was implemented as a midterm take-home exam in which students design and develop an app project based on their own interests, passions, or ambitions. In addition to coding, students must create screencasts to document the coding process and explain key programming concepts. In Spring 2023, we collected interview feedback and course evaluations from students. Our findings indicate that SBAT supported critical thinking skills such as analyzing, evaluating, and creating in four key areas: idea generation, code development, concept explanation, and video production. In addition, students were motivated to connect their own passions with the learning outcomes of the course. Overall, we found that this assessment approach facilitated deeper internalization and integration of knowledge and helped students learn better than traditional paper-based exams.