Assessments and AI - Ideas

Assessment always begins with clear learning objectives. It's about defining what you want your learners to achieve after engaging with your instruction. For example, as a language teacher, the goal might not be to have students memorize hundreds of verbs, but rather to empower them to introduce themselves, hold conversations about preferences, schedule appointments, or discuss food choices.

Once these objectives are set, the focus shifts to visualizing what mastery looks like. Is it a conversation between students? A creative project? Perhaps a self-made video?

This process leads us to authentic assessments that truly reflect and measure the learners' acquired abilities, aligning closely with real-world tasks and skills they'll utilize beyond the classroom.

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Comparative Analysis with AI's Ethical Insights

In an assessment scenario, students can delve into complex ethical dilemmas within business using AI as a tool for analysis. For instance, students might task AI to compare two business cases that present ethical challenges. The AI's analysis could offer insights into the ethical implications of the choices made in these scenarios.

Subsequently, students engage in a deconstruction process, critically evaluating the AI's assessment. They dissect and analyze what the AI got right, areas it missed, and the nuanced considerations it might have overlooked.

This exercise not only encourages students to think critically about the AI's findings but also fosters a deeper understanding of ethical dimensions within business contexts.

AI-Enhanced Research and Presentation

AI can also be integrated into assessment by aiding students in conducting research and enhancing their presentations. Students can utilize AI to gather and analyze data, uncover trends, and present their findings. Assessments can focus on evaluating not only the quality of the research and analysis but also the students' ability to interpret and communicate the insights gleaned from AI-powered research tools.

Here it is critical that students know how to evaluate, fact check, and cite AI. These are skills that will help them know how to evaluate AI produced content, which will help them through out their careers. 

AI-Powered Simulation or Role-Playing Scenarios

Another way to integrate AI into assessment is through simulated scenarios or role-playing exercises powered by AI. For instance, students could engage in a simulated negotiation scenario where AI acts as one of the negotiating parties.

As students navigate the negotiation, AI provides dynamic responses, allowing for a realistic and evolving interaction. Assessments can then focus on analyzing students' decision-making processes, communication skills, and adaptability based on the AI's responses.

You will want to make sure that students reflect on their experience, and are prepared to use the AI tools meaningfully, as well as know how to know whether what is being produces by the AI is accurate.

The two-lane approach aims for a balance between ensuring learning and promoting human-AI collaboration. While some assessments (lane 1) ensure meeting learning outcomes, most (lane 2) focus on real-world readiness, including AI involvement. To nurture well-rounded, capable students, assessments reflecting authentic, modern settings (lane 2) should carry more weight than those solely ensuring learning (lane 1).

Lane 1

Lane 1 assessments primarily focus on ensuring students meet specific learning outcomes within a course or unit. These assessments are often designed to measure the understanding and mastery of foundational knowledge or skills outlined in the curriculum. They aim to guarantee that students have acquired the fundamental concepts or competencies necessary to progress within a particular course or academic program.

Lane 2

Lane 2 assessments prioritize preparing students for real-world scenarios by evaluating their ability to apply knowledge in authentic, contemporary contexts. These assessments go beyond verifying understanding; they aim to cultivate skills for practical application, adaptability, and readiness for diverse, evolving environments. Assessments in this lane emphasize problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, reflecting the skills needed in modern settings, which may involve interactions with AI or other emerging technologies.

Example

Assignment Title: "Contemporary Policy Analysis"

Lane 1 Component:

• Description: Students conduct an in-depth analysis of historical political policies within a specific region or country, focusing on foundational theories, key figures, and historical contexts.
• Assessment Type: Research paper or presentation.
• Lane 1 Focus: Emphasis on understanding historical policy frameworks, demonstrating knowledge of foundational political theories, and proficiency in academic research and analysis.

Lane 2 Component:

• Description: Students apply historical policy insights to propose innovative solutions or amendments to address contemporary socio-political challenges faced by the same region or country.
• Assessment Type: Policy proposal or a simulated negotiation role-play.
• Lane 2 Focus: Application of historical knowledge to address current socio-political issues, critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical policy-making skills in real-world scenarios.

This assessment integrates Lane 1 by ensuring students comprehend the historical political landscape and theories (focusing on foundational knowledge), while Lane 2 requires them to practically apply this knowledge to propose solutions for current political challenges, fostering skills applicable in real-world scenarios.

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