Towards an AI-Informed Assessment Framework (AIAF): A Strategic Approach to Epistemic Agency and Academic Integrity in the GAI Era.

50000

The rapid emergence of Generative AI (GAI) has created significant "disruptive potential" for higher education institutions that have traditionally relied heavily on student writing for assessment (Barrett & Pack, 2023). Current written coursework models are highly vulnerable to misuse, as traditional rubrics often overweigh final outputs that AI can easily generate, thereby failing to reflect authentic learning (Lacey & Smith, 2023; Moorhouse et al., 2023). This project addresses the urgent need to transition from "learning via AI" to "learning with AI," centring on student epistemic agency, that is the ability to actively and purposefully engage in the processes of knowledge construction, inquiry, and learning" (Elgin, 2013, as cited in Dai et al., 2023). Research demonstrates that while GAI tools excel at lower cognitive levels of Bloom’s taxonomy, they falter significantly at the "Create" level (Thanh et al., 2023). The AIAF leverages this limitation by stretching assessment design into authentic, venture-oriented avenues such as iterative Project-Based Learning (PBL), prototyping, and real-world consultations. This approach aligns with XJTLU’s Education + AI agenda and Syntegrative Education, redefining the classroom into a mentor-led environment where AI serves as a professional collaborator (Malik et al., 2023).

The project aims at delivering three main contributions:

A. Practice-based informed advice on innovative approaches to designing assessment in the GAI ear, which will likely include modifiable templets different assessment types e.g., App/ Website Development, Real-World Consultation Report, AI-Enhanced Market Analysis, Leading with AI Capabilities…etc.

B. Mitigating toolkit containing reusable rubric templates for process-based assessment, AI-use disclosure protocols, a mandatory "Academic Competency" acknowledgment list…etc.

C. Clear description of (doable) digital functions on Learning Mall, e.g., weighted rubrics, project workflow reporting, group reporting tools, incremental peer-evaluation digital forms…etc.