When Good Work No Longer Proves That Learning Has Happened

For many years, lecturers could reasonably assume that a submitted assignment reflected the student’s effort, understanding and ability.

That assumption is no longer safe.

Generative AI can now help students:

• Interpret an assessment question
• Develop an outline
• Generate arguments
• Write a report
• Create references
• Produce presentation slides
• Develop computer code
• Write a reflection
• Improve the final language

The submitted work may look excellent.

But can the student explain it?

Can the student defend the decisions?

Can the student apply the same knowledge to a different problem?

Can the student recognise when the AI-generated answer is wrong?

This is the real challenge.

Universities may receive better-looking assignments while becoming less certain that students have achieved the Course Learning Outcomes.

Assessment is not only about producing work. Assessment is the checkpoint used to determine whether learning has taken place.

If AI performs the intellectual work expected by the CLO, then the assessment may no longer provide valid evidence of the student’s achievement.

For example, consider a CLO that requires students to:

Analyse a complex organisational problem and recommend an appropriate solution.

If AI performs the analysis, develops the recommendation and writes the justification, what exactly has the student demonstrated?

Editing the AI output is not necessarily the same as achieving the CLO.

This becomes even more serious when conventional final examinations are replaced with unsupervised take-home assessments.

A lecturer may:

1. Take the existing examination questions
2. Upload them into the LMS
3. Give students 24 or 48 hours to respond
4. Rename the activity “Final Assessment”

That is not assessment transformation.

It is simply an unsecured take-home examination.

The assessment loses the controls of a supervised examination, but it does not gain the strengths of a properly designed authentic assessment.

The result may be the worst of both worlds:

• It is not a secure examination.
• It is not an authentic assessment.
• It may not verify individual competency.
• It is highly exposed to AI-generated answers.
• It may encourage collaboration beyond what is permitted.
• It may produce unreliable CLO attainment results.

There is another uncomfortable truth:

Authentic assessment is not automatically AI-resistant.

AI can produce case analyses, lesson plans, marketing strategies, business proposals, research summaries, reflective writing, computer code and project documentation.

Adding a real-world scenario does not automatically make an assessment secure.

Even personalised questions can be uploaded into an AI tool.

        AI detection software will not solve the problem either.

Detection may raise concerns, but it cannot reliably tell us:

• Who completed the work
• How much AI was used
• Whether the use was permitted
• Whether the student understood the submission
• Whether the student personally achieved the CLO

The solution cannot be limited to catching students.

The better question is:

What evidence would convince us that this student has genuinely achieved the CLO, whether AI was used or not?

This does not mean universities should return entirely to conventional examinations.

It means assessment can no longer depend only on the final product.

A polished report is no longer enough.

A complete portfolio is no longer enough.

A professional-looking presentation is no longer enough.

Lecturers may also need to see the student’s:

• Development process
• Decisions and justification
• Response to feedback
• Ability to correct mistakes
• Application to a new situation
• Live demonstration
• Oral explanation
• Individual defence

Without these forms of evidence, universities may gradually produce graduates with impressive assignments but weak underlying capabilities.

The qualification may appear strong on paper while becoming less reliable as evidence of what the graduate can actually do.

In the next article, I will explore how institutions can respond responsibly without banning AI or allowing AI to replace learning.

Related articles:

>>> AI Is Changing How Students Learn. That Is Not Necessarily a Bad Thing.
>>> The Danger of Going All Out - Alternative Final Assessment in Higher Education

#HigherEducation #GenerativeAI #AssessmentIntegrity #AcademicQuality #CourseLearningOutcomes

Maximizing Your Education: 5 Ways to Utilize ChatGPT for Academic Success

As an Artificial Intelligence (AI) language model, ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for students studying in higher education. Here are 5 main ways that a student can maximize the use of ChatGPT:

1. Research

ChatGPT can be used as a tool for research on a wide range of topics. The model can provide concise and relevant information on a topic of interest to a student.

As a student in higher education, there may be times when you need to conduct research for an assignment or project. ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for this purpose as it is capable of providing concise and relevant information on a wide range of topics.

For example, let's say you are researching a topic on climate change. You could ask ChatGPT to provide you with information on the causes and effects of climate change, current mitigation strategies, and potential future impacts. AI can provide you with relevant and up-to-date information on this topic from reputable sources, helping you to better understand the issue and develop your own arguments and ideas.

In addition, AI can also help you to find relevant research articles, books, and other resources on your topic of interest. For instance, you can ask ChatGPT for recommendations on books or articles related to your research question. This can save you time and effort in searching for relevant sources and help you to identify high-quality resources that you may not have found otherwise.

Using ChatGPT as a research tool can help you to gain a deeper understanding of your topic of interest and find high-quality sources to support your arguments and ideas.

2. Writing Assistance

ChatGPT can be used as a writing assistant to help students refine their writing skills. The model can provide suggestions for grammar and vocabulary, as well as help with sentence structure and organization.

Writing is an essential skill in higher education, and AI can help students refine their writing skills by providing writing assistance. The model can suggest alternative words or phrases help students improve their vocabulary and grammar. Additionally, ChatGPT can provide suggestions for sentence structure and organization to help students improve the flow and clarity of their writing.

 Students can use AI to check their writing for grammar and punctuation errors, as well as to identify areas where they may need to improve their writing. The model can also suggest ways to improve the overall structure of the writing and help students create a more coherent argument. Furthermore, ChatGPT can assist students in developing their critical thinking skills through the process of writing. The model can provide suggestions for alternative perspectives, help students to identify gaps in their arguments, and suggest ways to improve their reasoning.

 AI can be an excellent tool for students to refine their writing skills and enhance their critical thinking abilities. By using ChatGPT as a writing assistant, students can receive valuable feedback on their writing and develop their skills in a way that is tailored to their individual needs.

3. Study Help

ChatGPT can be used to supplement class materials and help students prepare for exams. The model can provide explanations of difficult concepts, examples, and practice problems.

By using ChatGPT as a study help tool, students can gain a deeper understanding of difficult concepts and prepare for exams more effectively. They can also receive immediate feedback on their understanding of a topic, allowing them to focus their efforts on areas where they may need more practice or study. Ultimately, this can lead to better academic performance and a more successful college experience.

Let's say a student is taking a marketing course and is struggling to understand the concept of market segmentation. They can use ChatGPT to ask for a concise and relevant explanation of the topic. The model can provide an overview of what market segmentation is, why it's important in marketing, and different methods of segmenting a market.

The student can also ask ChatGPT for examples of market segmentation in real-world scenarios. For instance, they can ask how a company like Nike segments its market and tailors its products to different consumer groups.

If the student is preparing for an exam, they can use ChatGPT to ask for practice problems related to market segmentation. The model can provide sample questions and answers, allowing the student to gauge their understanding of the topic and identify areas where they need more practice or study.

Overall, by using ChatGPT as a study help tool, the student can gain a deeper understanding of marketing concepts, prepare more effectively for exams, and ultimately achieve better academic performance in their marketing course.

 4. Language Practice

ChatGPT can be used to practice language skills. Students can use the model to improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills in various languages.

ChatGPT can be a great tool for students who are learning a new language. The model can provide assistance with grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. For example, a student who is learning English as a second language can use ChatGPT to practice reading and writing in English. The model can provide suggestions for how to structure sentences, offer alternative vocabulary choices, and provide explanations of idioms and expressions that may be confusing.

Additionally, ChatGPT can provide opportunities for students to practice speaking and listening skills in a foreign language. Students can ask the model to speak in the language they are learning, and then try to respond using the correct vocabulary and grammar. This can be a great way to improve pronunciation and comprehension skills.

ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for language learners, as it can provide personalized feedback and assistance in real-time.

5. Personal Development

ChatGPT can be used as a tool for personal development. Students can ask the model for advice on a wide range of topics, such as career development, goal setting, and mental health.

ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for students looking to develop personal skills and knowledge beyond academics. For example, students can ask the model for advice on developing effective study habits, managing their time and priorities, or improving their communication skills. 

In addition, students can seek guidance on topics related to mental health and well-being, such as managing stress, building resilience, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. The model can also provide information and resources on career development, including job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing tips, and interview preparation. 

By using ChatGPT as a tool for personal development, students can gain valuable insights and advice to help them succeed in all aspects of their lives.

Excited already? Although AI can do so much to assist students in their studies, it is important to be cautious of the following:

• Although ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it is important to remember that it is not infallible. Students should always double-check the information provided by ChatGPT before using it in their studies.
• ChatGPT can provide excellent research assistance, but students must be careful not to plagiarize any content. It is important to paraphrase and cite any information used in assignments and papers.
• While AI can be a valuable tool for students, it is important not to become too reliant on it. Students should still strive to develop their critical thinking skills and research abilities, as these will be valuable in their future careers.

So....to use or not to use? What say you?

Share you views with me.

Getty Images Personality Quiz - Personality Test Using Images

Many organisation use personality tests to assess the attribute of candidates as part of the interview process. Some use the test as self-assessment or reflection. Others may use the test to find a match. Whatever is the purpose, personality is something that worth to find out. There are many personality test out there which requires a person to answers various lengthy questions, which the process can be quite boring.

As such, I find that Visual DNA offers a free personality test that can be quite interesting - integrating Getty Images (visual) to run the test.

Try it out:
https://www.visualdna.com/quizzes/