Thinking about Assessment in the Time of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Rather than avoiding the topic of AI use altogether, address with your students at the beginning of class your expectations around the use of AI. Have an open discussion with them and allow them to contribute their opinions on the topic. 

Make sure assessments include tasks that require problem-solving, creative thought, and critical thinking by your students. 

Have students work together in groups to produce a presentation or present information to one another.

1. View DFI’s group work strategy suggestions

Provide students with hands-on activities that double as assessments. This can take the form of in-class activities, scavenger hunts, case study analysis, and simulation learning.

Assessment differentiation can provide students with multiple ways of turning in an assessment. Give students the option to write a paper, record a creative video, or give a class presentation. Allow students to embrace the way they learn the best so they are less likely to resort to using AI to do the work for them.

1. Check out the Universal Design for Learning guidelines for inspiration
2. Check our DFI’s Asynchronous learning activities for inspiration

Make sure your students understand exactly what is expected of them in an assignment. Create a rubric or example for students to follow. This creates a clear path for students so that they are able to complete the assessment successfully and give the instructor exactly what they are looking for.

1. 1. Check out how to easily add your rubric to your Canvas course

Create assessments that relate directly to a real world task. This way, students are able to connect and relate to the task at hand. Some examples could be: case studies, relating readings to their own life-experiences, group discussions, and peer review.

Create opportunities for students to utilize AI in their work as well as assess the tool’s abilities. You can also create a class list of ways that students can utilize AI in their work. Examples can include generating ideas when experiencing writer's block, debugging code, improving grammar and writing structure for ESL learners, assisting in generating ideas for graphics, and brainstorming ideas for various topics.p