Optimising AI applications in test development, credible educational assessment

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the teaching and learning process facilitates student-centred learning.

AI-powered tools and applications improve educational measurement, including testing, assessment and evaluation. 

These tools can provide educators with valuable insights into student performance, learning outcomes and instructional effectiveness. 

As this technology continues to evolve, it has the potential to transform education by providing personalised data-driven instruction to students and enabling teachers to optimise their teaching strategies to improve student outcomes.  

Again, AI powered tools in educational assessment can be beneficial in various ways, including enhancing the assessment process’s accuracy, speed and efficiency.

However, several challenges are associated with using AI in educational assessment.

Challenges of AI-Powered Tools

The lack of stakeholder participation in developing AI tools for education can be a significant challenge in AI adoption.

When AI tools are developed without input from educators, students, parents and other stakeholders, the resulting tools may not be tailored to the specific needs of the education system. This can lead to a lack of relevance or adoption of AI tools in classrooms.

One of the primary challenges associated with AI in educational assessment is the lack of transparency in decision-making.

It can be challenging to understand how AI algorithms arrive at their conclusions, making it difficult for educators to assess the accuracy and fairness of the assessments. Integrating AI-powered assessment tools with existing systems can be a challenge.

Educators must invest in new technologies and infrastructure to ensure the new tools work seamlessly with existing assessment processes.  

Adopting AI-powered assessment tools may face resistance from educators, students and parents. They may not trust the technology or may prefer traditional assessment methods. Introducing these new tools into the educational assessment process can make it challenging.

Furthermore, AI-powered assessment tools may affect student motivation and engagement in learning. Students may perceive the assessments as impersonal or become overly reliant on technology, leading to a lack of effort in their learning.

AI-powered assessment tools can provide quick feedback on students’ performance but may not offer the personalised feedback and support students need to improve their learning.

Educators need to balance the benefits of quick feedback with the importance of providing meaningful feedback that support students’ learning and development.

To ensure that AI-powered tools are transparent, educators and developers must work together to develop algorithms free from bias and discrimination.

This can involve designing algorithms based on diverse data sets and incorporating ethical considerations into the design process.

In order to capture the nuance of students’ learning experiences, educators should consider using personalised and adaptive assessment approaches that can account for individual differences in students’ learning styles and needs.

This can involve using various assessment methods, including open-ended questions and performance tasks, to better understand students’ knowledge and skills. Educators need proper training and support.

This can involve providing educators with professional development opportunities to use the technology and ongoing support to ensure they can effectively integrate it into their teaching practice.

To ensure that AI-powered tools are accessible for all students, educators should consider the needs of students with disabilities and provide accommodations as needed.

This can involve designing tools compatible with assistive technology, providing alternative formats for materials, and ensuring that the tools comply with accessibility standards.

While AI-powered tools can provide valuable insights into student learning, it is important to remember that they are not infallible.

Educators should incorporate human input and oversight into the assessment process to ensure that the results are accurate and fair. 

AI technology is constantly evolving, and educators need to stay updated with the latest advancements in the field. This can involve regularly evaluating and updating the technology to ensure that it meets the needs of students and educators and remains transparent, fair and compliant with data privacy regulations.

It is important to ensure that data are secure, protected, and only used for the intended purpose. To ensure that students and parents are comfortable using AI-powered tools in educational assessment, educators should provide education and training in the technology.

Policy recommendations

AI-based assessment can provide more accurate, objective and efficient grading, freeing up time for teachers to focus on more meaningful interactions with their students.

It can also identify areas of weakness and strength, allowing educators to tailor their teaching methods to individual needs.

To ensure that AI-powered tools are meeting the needs of students, educators should collaborate with students to gather feedback on their experiences with the technology.

In order to use AI-powered tools effectively, educators need proper training and support. By incorporating human input and oversight, regularly evaluating and updating the technology, and ensuring the security and privacy of student data, we can create a more equitable and effective educational assessment system.

As such, educators, policymakers, and stakeholders must work together to develop strategies that maximise the benefits of AI in educational assessment while mitigating the associated risks.

AI in educational assessment can ultimately transform education, improve learning outcomes, and equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.

The writer is a PhD candidate/Chartered Policy Analyst. 
Email: kashiagbor@yahoo.com .