Redesigning Assessments in the AI Era

 

Introduction

In the technological era, particularly with the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), numerous fields have been profoundly impacted, such as content creation, data analysis, and marketing. Education is no exception. One significant advantage of AI is its ability to reduce administrative tasks and personalize the learning process for each individual. However, a major challenge educators face is assessment. As AI becomes more prevalent in learning, students can rely on AI tools to complete assignments and exams more quickly and effortlessly. This raises an urgent question: How can fairness and integrity in assessments be ensured?

This article will discuss redesigning assessment systems in the AI era and propose solutions to address the challenges posed by students using AI in exams.

The Impact of AI on Assessment

Generative AI provides numerous helpful tools for learners, ranging from solving complex problems, generating text content automatically, to offering detailed answers to academic questions. While these advancements bring significant benefits to learning, they also present serious challenges in assessing the actual competencies of students. Specifically:

• Cheating: Students can use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot to generate essays or answer complex questions effortlessly without conducting their own research or critical thinking.

• Difficulty in Determining Actual Competence: Without appropriate control measures, assessments may fail to reflect students' actual competencies, as AI can help them complete tasks without in-depth understanding. Over time, this reliance on AI may erode their critical thinking and deep comprehension of the topics under study.

Solutions for Redesigning Assessment in the AI Era

1. Design Assessments Based on Critical Thinking

Instead of focusing on knowledge-based or straightforward questions, assessments should evaluate learners’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Open-ended questions requiring reasoning, analysis, and personal opinions are more challenging for AI tools to address effectively.

2. Integrate Direct and Practical Assessments

An effective solution is to combine theoretical tests with practical or in-person assessments. For instance, after completing a written essay or exam, students could be required to present orally or perform related tasks on the spot to verify their understanding and ability to apply knowledge. This ensures that students genuinely grasp the content rather than relying on AI.

3. Leverage Technology to Detect AI-Generated Content

AI-detection software is being developed and can be integrated into assessment systems. These tools help identify whether an essay or answer has been generated by AI, reducing the risk of cheating.

4. Focus on Learning Processes Instead of Final Results

Rather than concentrating solely on final exams, educators can evaluate students through their learning processes. Long-term projects, stage-by-stage reports, or continuous group activities can assess progress and capabilities comprehensively. This makes it harder for students to rely on AI throughout all phases without demonstrating genuine understanding.

5. Encourage Using AI as a Learning Tool, Not for Cheating

Educators should design teaching and assessment activities where AI is a support tool rather than a means of cheating. For example, students may be asked to use AI for information retrieval but then analyze and provide personal insights based on the results. This promotes responsible and creative use of AI while still accurately assessing learners’ abilities.

6. Use Presentation Methods

Presentations are one of the most effective tools to discourage students from over-relying on AI. Presentations require students to understand the subject matter and demonstrate their communication and logical content delivery skills. Through this method, educators can easily evaluate students' actual understanding and their ability to address arising questions during the presentation. Benefits of this method include:

• Enhancing Critical Thinking and Analysis: Students must synthesize information, think critically, and explain concepts clearly.
• Fostering Creativity: Presentations provide an opportunity for students to showcase creativity through interpretation and content illustration.
• Developing Communication Skills: Communication skills are essential not only in learning but also in future careers.

Conclusion

In the AI era, assessments face numerous challenges but also present opportunities to redesign and improve systems to enhance learners’ critical thinking and adaptability. By applying innovative assessment methods, leveraging technology, and promoting critical thinking, educators can build fair assessment systems that accurately reflect students’ real abilities while encouraging responsible use of AI. Teachers and educational administrators must proactively adjust their approaches, not only to address the challenges AI brings but also to turn it into an effective learning support tool.

Le Phuong Truong