Leveraging AI for Authentic Assessment in Higher Education: Embracing the Paradox for Online Learners

Concurrent Session 7

Brief Abstract

Explore the paradox of using AI to create authentic assessments for online learners in higher education and empower students in their learning journey. This interactive session features live polling, facilitated discussions, and hands-on AI activities, offering insights into leveraging AI for transformative assessment experiences and student-driven learning.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Caryn Sever, Northern Virginia Community College

Co-presenter: Kate Grovergrys, Madison Area Technical College

Kate Grovergrys is a skilled educator with over 25 years of teaching experience. She holds a B.A. in Spanish from Valparaiso University in Indiana, and a M.A. in Spanish Literature & Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She earned an E-learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate at UW-Stout and is certified as a SEED facilitator with the The National SEED Project. She specializes in designing and implementing high quality instruction with a focus on equity, inclusion, student engagement, and success. Since 2020, she has been serving as a faculty consultant in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Madison Area Technical College. In this role, she designs and facilitates a wide variety of professional development experiences for faculty in the areas of online teaching, hybrid instruction, inclusive teaching practices, and other topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Additional Authors

Kim Grewe, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)

I am an educator, scholar, online learning enthusiast, community college leader, and champion of Open Education. With teaching experience from middle school to community college, I bring a myriad of skills and career's worth of perspective to my online course design and work with faculty in professional development workshops. My most recent work with Regional Leaders of Open Education (RLOE) has connected me with colleagues from across North America and Canada who are committed to using Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Pedagogy (OP) as a means to center, empower, and amplify the voices of our students, especially our underserved students. I have also worked with CCCOER and the College of the Canyons in California on a grant-funded project called Open For Anti-Racism (OFAR), which facilitates faculty use of OER and open pedagogy to create antiracist curriculum and pedagogical approaches in their California community college learning spaces with their students.

Extended Abstract

Topic and Relevance

The session will focus on the paradox of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create authentic assessments for online learners in higher education, and empowering students to take an active role in their learning and assessment activities. This topic is highly relevant to the community as the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing number of students engaging in online learning present a significant challenge to higher education institutions in providing authentic assessments that accurately measure student learning outcomes.

Plan for Interactivity:

To ensure strong engagement and a collaborative learning environment, this 45-minute interactive session will feature live polling, facilitated discussions, and a hands-on AI-infused learning activity where participants will directly interact with AI tools. Attendees should come prepared to use their mobile or computing device, and sample activities and materials will be available for adaptation to their own courses and institutions.

Takeaways for Attendees:

Participants in this presentation can expect to:

  1. Learn how AI can be employed to design and implement authentic assessments for online learners in higher education, considering aspects such as collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

  2. Discover how students can harness the power of AI as part of their own learning and assessment activities, engaging in self-assessment, personalized feedback, and adaptive learning experiences that cater to their unique needs and strengths.

  3. Gain insights into the potential of AI in creating authentic assessments and supporting student-driven learning through case studies, examples, and showcased AI-integrated learning activities and assessments.

  4. Engage in a collaborative learning environment where you can share your own experiences and insights and directly interact with AI tools.

By attending this session, participants will explore the potential of AI to revolutionize the way we assess learning in higher education and empower students to take an active role in their educational journey. The goal is to collaboratively create a brighter future for higher education by embracing the potential of AI, meeting the diverse needs of online learners and online educators, and preparing all for success in the ever-evolving global landscape.