University assessment and quality assurance

Strategies to improve university assessment for students and educators. Here, academics offer guidance on assessment design, covering formative, summative and diagnostic approaches, authentic assessment and how to give useful feedback. You will also find advice on exam preparation, ungrading, managing GenAI, preventing cheating and upholding academic integrity.

Will AI revolutionise marking?

Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve speed, consistency and detail in feedback for educators grading students’ assignments, writes Rohim Mohammed. Here he lists the pros and cons based on his experience

Rohim Mohammed

University College Birmingham

A pair of legs following an arrow on asphalt

Using directional reflection to stimulate students’ evaluative thinking

Many students struggle to understand and engage with the concepts and practices associated with reflection. This is where directional reflection comes in

Simon Brownhill

The University of Bristol

‘Generic prompts give students autonomy and flexibility to expand their ideas’

Leaving space for students to bring their prior knowledge and experience to a question can help with comprehension in STEM courses

Karen Ho, Douglas B. Clark

Mount Royal University, University of Calgary

Four ways to use gamification to engage your students in learning

What if learning was as addictive as gaming? Motivate your students and engage them to learn with these four teaching innovations

Lim Keong Teoh

University of Winchester

We use ChatGPT to give feedback on students’ abstracts

Teaching students whose first language is not English to write concise abstracts helps them develop their academic writing skills, but providing feedback on them can often be laborious. Here is how you can use ChatGPT to speed up the process

Yu Liu , Shuhao (Jeremy) Zhang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A woman working at a desk, viewed from above

Portfolio assessment may be the key to deeper learning

Portfolio assessment has proved to be an innovative way to track students' progress in economics classes, making learning deeper and more meaningful. Here’s how to do it

Belén Pagone, Cecilia Primogerio

Universidad Austral

A woman works on an essay, using her laptop and several books

The renaissance of the essay starts here

In the age of AI, has long-form writing in higher education reached a dead end? Martin Compton and Claire Gordon discuss the unique aspects of the essay and introduce a manifesto to revitalise it

Claire Gordon , Martin Compton

The London School of Economics and Political Science, King’s College London

person using laptop in front of blackboard

AI as a catalyst for assessment innovation

University educators have an opportunity to rethink their approach to assessment, so that artificial intelligence tools support student learning without compromising academic integrity

Zheng Feei Ma, Antony Hill

University of the West of England Bristol

Students working at their laptops in class

Using GenAI tools to refine EAP assessment

There are several tools available to help English for academic purposes assess students’ writing skills. Here is some guidance on how to use a selection of them

Rui Xu (Tiffany) , Mengqi Hu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Online tests as a method of engagement in higher education

Continuous e-assessment helps students engage with course materials and reduce procrastination, and offers educators benefits such as automated marking

Panagiotis Giannarakis

University of Southampton

The Goldilocks effect: finding ‘just right’ in the AI era

When artificial intelligence is embedded into almost every tool students use, how can university educators find the line between misconduct and ethical use? A new approach to assessment is required, writes Kathryn MacCallum

Kathryn MacCallum

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

Frustrated student trying to understand her notes

How can we help students manage frustration and build resilience?

Help students not to become discouraged by poor exam results by instilling a growth mindset, helping them plan their time and encouraging self-reflection

Agustina Ortelli

Universidad Austral

A health professional checks a patient's lymph glands

Taking trust to the next level in healthcare assessment

When educating health professionals, the role of trust is paramount. Here’s how we can link entrustment with student consensus grading and programmatic assessment

James Thompson, Amanda Maddern

Adelaide University

Open dialogue about AI in HE is the way forward

The assumption that instructors hold negative views on the use of any generative AI means that important conversations aren’t being had

Florian Stoeckel

The University of Exeter

Post-it notes showing smiling and frowning faces

Peer feedback: a burden for students or route to better academic writing?

Asking students to give anonymous feedback on each other’s work can not only result in better writing skills but also offer them opportunities to try new approaches and refine assessment tasks

Alison Daniell

University of Southampton

How to navigate the grey areas of AI ethics

With principles on AI’s use still evolving, universities must navigate a complex ethical landscape. Here are ways they can help shape responsible application of the tool

Lakshmi Goel

Al Akhawayn University

Use peer feedback to build engagement and belonging online

Giving feedback is a time-consuming and often frustrating part of teaching. What if educators handed the task to students? Here are the takeaways from an online business course

David Waller, Kaye Chan, Melissa Clarke

University of Technology Sydney

Ways to empower EAP students to give high-quality feedback

Helping English for academic purposes students provide better quality feedback to their peers can give them more autonomy and free up teachers’ time

Jingfei Zhang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A blueprint for programmatic assessment in healthcare courses

A shift from traditional to outcome- or competency-based programmatic assessment began before the pandemic and has gained momentum since. Here are some ways to work towards it

Sreejith G

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Ten tips when instigating an assessment transformation programme

Higher education is facing pressure to reform assessment. But how to get started? Steve Briggs offers 10 tips

Steve Briggs

University of Bedfordshire

Lessons in chemistry: widening university students’ participation through storytelling

Storytelling can bridge the gap between complex STEM content and student engagement – it gives learners a discovery-based approach and educators an inclusive teaching tool and means of assessment

Karen Ho

Mount Royal University

young woman working at laptop with gavel in foreground

AI as tutor and critic: using tech to personalise education

Artificial intelligence can have practical applications for assessment in higher education, despite the focus on the threats it poses. Here are considerations when using AI to support teaching and generate feedback

Michael Butler

King’s College London

human intelligence v AI on scales illustration

Assessments that maintain fairness and authenticity without AI

In-person, reflective and analytical tasks require students to apply their learning in real-world ways that AI can’t easily replicate. Here are eight ways to tailor AI-resistant assessment

Temesgen Kifle

The University of Queensland

The transformative power of immersive field studies

Embracing experience in teaching can bring the curriculum to life and help students forge their own learning journey. Here are five benefits it offers

Myria Georgiou, Afroditi Koulaxi

The London School of Economics and Political Science

A lecturer speaks to a group of students

Four ways to tap into students’ family experiences for better learning

Using students’ family experiences as a jumping-off point for learning can help engage them and prepare them for the workforce. Here’s how to do it

Ankit Agarwal

Adelaide University

A group of students fist-bump over a table of work

Spark creativity in your students – and boost their employability

Thinking creatively is a crucial skill for the future workplace. But how can we instil it in today’s students?

Sarah Montano, Inci Toral

University of Birmingham

Learning objectives as a tool to guide post-Covid learning

Instructors can use specific learning objectives to spark greater reflection and self-regulated learning in students. Here’s a step-by-step guide to aligning learning, course and curriculum outcomes

Jeremy Hsu

Chapman University

How to embed critical thinking from course design to assessment

Critical thinking is an essential, human skill. This practical advice aims to help university educators nurture and enhance students’ ability to analyse and evaluate information at all stages of teaching

M. C. Zhang

Macau University of Science and Technology

Campus talks: university success stories in managing AI and building digital capacity

Find out how two universities, in Hong Kong and the UK, are embracing generative AI and building institution-wide digital expertise

Julia Chen, Helen Cocks

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The University of Exeter

A young woman presents on a screen as someone takes notes

Flip students’ presentations for more in-depth learning

Ask students to record presentations ahead of class, in order to free up time for in-depth questions, discussion and feedback when together in person, and enable fairer assessment

Eric Tsui

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

A teacher filming herself giving video feedback for her students

Why we should be giving feedback via video

Reasons for adopting video as an assessment feedback method plus how to implement it

Wennie Subramonian

The University of Manchester

Connecting adult learning principles, assessment and academic integrity

Adult learning principles and authentic assessment can offer ways for educators to not only prevent academic misconduct but also give students a chance to demonstrate skills that employers want to see in graduates

Carl Sherwood, John Raiti

The University of Queensland

A group of people brainstorm around an office table

Ten tips when building a centralised evaluation unit

How can we establish and develop evaluation activities to show what support and interventions affect the student experience, as well as their learning, outcomes and destinations?

Steve Briggs, Diana Pritchard, Sibel Kaya

University of Bedfordshire

A hand carves out a heart from South Korean delicacy dalgona candy

Green light student engagement: Squid Game tactics in the classroom

Gamifying your classroom can help foster learning, offers a cheat-free method of assessment and creates a memorable experience

Clare Keonha Shin

IÉSEG School of Management

Students in class working on a project together

Events-based authentic assessment that can boost employability

While demonstrating knowledge through exams has its place, how often do we use exam techniques and skills in our daily lives? Events offer a more authentic way to demonstrate and test professional skills

Becky Lewis, Colin McClure

The University of East Anglia, Queen’s University Belfast

Students need a balanced diet of assessment practices

Let's evaluate the process and products of our assessments and incorporate innovative elements to better emulate real-world tasks, write David Tree, Stephanie Baines, Pauldy Otermans, Nicholas Worsfold and Emily Hobson

Multiple authors

Brunel University London , The University of East Anglia

Three business people consider a document

For learning design projects, build the time to reflect on the past into your future

Reflective practice is essential for continuous improvement in learning design. Paul John Gregory Moss, Richard McInnes and Simon Marek explain how to incorporate structured reflection into project scopes

Paul Moss, Richard McInnes, Simon Marek

Adelaide University

Why I ban AI use for writing assignments

Students may see handwriting essays in class as a needlessly time-consuming approach to assignments, but I want them to learn how to engage with arguments, develop their own views and convey them effectively, writes James Stacey Taylor

James Stacey Taylor

The College of New Jersey

Partner with industry for authentic learning and assessment

Getting students workplace-ready is a challenge. By partnering with industry, lecturers can offer authentic learning experiences and assessments that equip students for future success in their chosen fields

Richard Bowater, Sarah Rayment, Michael Loughlin

The University of East Anglia, Nottingham Trent University

How environmental issues can unite and inspire diverse student groups

Looking for ideas for next semester’s projects? Climate change could be the answer, whatever your students’ field of study, writes Jim Entwistle

Jim Entwistle

Teesside University

What block learning taught me about meeting diverse student needs

In block learning, where time is condensed, students are at a greater risk of falling behind. Here, Kevin Merry explains how formative assessment can drive targeted instruction and enable students to accelerate their learning

Kevin L. Merry

Global Banking School

Giving students options when it comes to assessment

By identifying the types of feasible options in assessment and discussing them with your students, you will naturally build their confidence in their assessment, writes Miriam Firth

Miriam Firth

The University of Manchester

Illustration of human and robot in an arm wrestle

RIP assessment?

How can educators make learning and human intelligence visible in the age of GenAI? Abby Osborne and Christopher Bonfield outline a model to rethink assessment and reward non-AI knowledge and understanding

Abby Osborne , Christopher Bonfield

University of Bath

A woman massages her temples in front of a desktop computer

To build resilience, we need to embrace failure in the classroom and beyond

Let’s redefine failure by changing the way we teach, assess and support students and staff. Ibham Veza, Mhadi A. Ismael and Taib Iskandar Mohamad outline how

Ibham Veza, Mhadi A. Ismael , Taib Iskandar Mohamad

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

With AI at their fingertips, are students still learning?

The ubiquity of artificial intelligence may be affecting students’ cognitive development. Gareth Morris and Bamidele Akinwolemiwa consider how to address this

Gareth Morris, Bamidele Akinwolemiwa

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China

Tips on implementing a more agile and responsive assessment extensions process

Applying for and managing of extensions for certain assessments within higher education can be time-consuming and stressful for students and staff. Read about how UEA has implemented a more agile process.

Eloise Ellis, Kay Yeoman, Karin Goodby

The University of East Anglia

An illustration of figures loading cogs, books and a lightbulb into a giant head

A whole-organisation approach to digital upskilling is the way forward

The challenge of digital transformation is one universities must rise to, or be left behind. Amanda Taylor-Beswick advocates for an organisation-wide approach

Amanda Taylor-Beswick

University of Cumbria

Two male Asian students working together

An assessment design that promotes learning and academic integrity

Identity-verified assessment can be used alongside online tasks to check students’ understanding and foster collaborative learning, writes Carl Sherwood

Carl Sherwood

The University of Queensland

Moving from individual contributions to team achievements in group projects

Putting the emphasis on a deliberate, reflective approach that emphasises clear goals and active engagement is a better way to prepare students for teamwork in their future careers, write William Owen and Leah Chambers

William J. Owen , Leah Chambers

University of Northern British Columbia

The (AI) sky isn’t falling

Students using generative AI to write their essays is a problem, but it isn’t a crisis, writes Christopher Hallenbrook. We have the tools to tackle the issue of artificial intelligence

Christopher R. Hallenbrook

California State University, Dominguez Hills

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