A timely introduction to the two-lane approach to assessment
16 October 2024Image credit: unknown author on Pixabay
Discover why rethinking assessment with Gen-AI is essential, as Danny Liu from the University of Sydney reveals how students misuse AI and proposes a practical ‘menu’ approach within the two-lane framework.
On International Academic Integrity Day, 16 October 2024, it is a great time to think about improving assessment practices with generative AI (Gen-AI). With the upcoming forums on “Rethinking assessment in an era of generative AI,” here are two insightful presentations by Danny Liu from the University of Sydney that are worth checking out.
Danny Liu’s presentations cover his university’s innovative two-lane approach to assessment. This method addresses the challenges posed by Gen-AI, such as the difficulty in determining whether students have used AI to produce their assignments or have worked independently. The redesign of assessments is crucial to ensure academic integrity and to adapt to the evolving skillsets required in the age of Gen-AI. Leveraging Gen-AI can significantly enhance the learning experience across various disciplines.
Liu emphasises that the approaches adopted by some universities worldwide, like ‘the traffic light system,’ are ineffective because they can’t control or detect all the ways students might (mis)use AI. Instead, the two-lane approach offers a more realistic and supportive framework. Lane One involves secured, in-person assessments where AI use is controlled, while the more frequently chosen Lane Two allows AI use to support learning in an unsecured environment. This balanced approach ensures both the integrity of assessments and the practical use of AI in learning.
In his video “Gen AI and Student Learning,” Liu demonstrates various AI tools that can assist students in tasks ranging from quizzes to data analysis and presentation creation. He highlights the importance of guiding students to use AI responsibly and productively, rather than attempting to restrict its use in ways that are unenforceable. In the “AI Symposium Presentation,” Liu further elaborates on the two-lane approach and discusses practical examples of how AI can be integrated into assessments to support student learning.
- Gen AI and student learning (a 10-min watch on YouTube)
- AI Symposium presentation (a 20-min watch in Panopto, available to UoA staff with sign-in)
These resources provide some valuable insights for navigating the evolving landscape of higher education. As we approach the upcoming UoA forums on assessment and Gen-AI, as well as the new academic year in 2025, these videos encourage us to start considering the potential benefits of the two-lane approach to assessment.