Testing and Assessment

Redesigning Tests

In light of the rapid advances of generative AI, instructors may need to rethink their testing strategy. Tools such as ChatGPT can quickly resolve difficult questions. A sound testing strategy begins by considering the assessment’s aim. Is it summative? Are test questions written to determine the level of mastery attained by learners? Alternatively, is it a formative assessment that focuses on monitoring progress and providing feedback throughout the learning process?

Create Reliable Assessments

To create reliable assessments in the digital age, educators are advised to focus on enhancing students’ motivation, applying transparent design principles regarding AI use, and emphasizing the learning process over final outputs. This includes drafting stages, reflective practices, and evaluating learning methods. Authentic assessments that encourage critical thinking, collaborative learning, and project-based activities are recommended. Strategies also involve integrating multimedia elements, connecting learning to real-world scenarios, and tailoring assignments to individual interests. These approaches aim to foster deep, meaningful learning while accurately assessing student understanding amidst the prevalence of AI tools.

Enhance students’ intrinsic motivation to learn.
Employ transparent design principles, where instructors clearly communicate guidelines for when students should or should not use AI in problem-solving.
Focus on the learning process rather than the final product:
- Have students submit their writing in stages (e.g., rough drafts).
- Encourage students to reflect on their own thinking throughout the process of creating the final product.
- Prioritize evaluating the process rather than just the end result when grading. For example, teach, then assess, how to evaluate sources, integrate primary and secondary sources into a composition, and the referencing of those sources.
- Emphasize observing and analyzing the learning process (Note: As process observations require more instructional time, consider the next strategy).
Design authentic assessments that foster critical and creative thinking in group, peer, and self-assessment settings.

Engage students in active, experiential, and project-based learning sequences.
Create collaborative learning opportunities that go beyond mere “busy work” by focusing on individual contributions and the learning process.
Evaluate reflections on the learning process.
Include both collaborative and individual presentation assignments, providing rubrics for assessing creativity, design, performance, and multimedia elements.
Incorporate visual, audio, and creative design elements into activities that are typically text-based (e.g., multimedia timelines, concept maps, videos, and websites).
Require students to connect information in their written work to their own lives, current events, earlier course concepts, and relevant readings, case studies, or datasets in order to authenticate the learning outcomes.
Create opportunities for each learner to apply their knowledge or skills in unique settings tailored to their individual needs and interests (Teaching for technology).