CALM UNIMAS Workshop Spotlights the Role of AI in University Assessment

The Centre for Applied Learning & Multimedia (CALM) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) recently hosted an enlightening workshop titled “Embracing Generative AI in Assessment Design.” The event was graced by the keynote speech of the highly regarded Associate Professor Technologist Dr Syamsul Nor Azlan Mohamad, Director of Academic Assessment & Evaluation Division at UiTM.

Dr Mohamad, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Education at UiTM, has a commendable academic profile with a PhD in Education focusing on IT and Computing Education, along with a Master’s in Educational Technology. His expertise spans across curriculum, e-Portfolio/alternative assessment, learning and predictive analysis. He also collaborates closely with reputable institutions such as KPM, KPT, MDEC, IBM, HP, and Dreamcatcher, primarily to further research and consultation initiatives in the domain of digital maker talent and innovation.

Among the key insights shared was the potential of Generative AI to offer assessments that are dynamic and adaptive to student performance, produce a wide array of exam questions thereby curtailing malpractices, and create real-world scenarios for a more tangible, hands-on learning experience. Furthermore, the immediate, automated feedback offered by such systems and the continuous, formative assessments could pinpoint learning gaps in students more effectively.

The overarching benefits highlighted were the opportunities for more personalised learning experiences, a boost in the diversity and inclusivity of assessments, enhanced efficiency in the evaluation process, and the introduction of novel and innovative assessment techniques.

However, the conversations were balanced with considerations of the challenges posed by AI. The importance of ensuring reliability in AI-generated assessments, the potential biases within AI algorithms, and the unceasing need for human judgment in the assessment process were also discussed.

Feedback from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive. One participant remarked, “CALM couldn’t have chosen a better speaker for this workshop.” Many attendees, initially familiar only with ChatGPT, left the workshop with expanded knowledge, now including AI programmes like Notion AI, Merlin AI, Scite AI, and Magic School AI. Recognising the potential of AI beyond assessment design, the academics felt inspired to utilise AI for designing classroom activities, preparing lecture notes, and even for assistance in research writing.

In light of this successful event, CALM is looking forward to organising similar insightful sessions in the future, with the vision of ushering Universiti Malaysia Sarawak into a new era of AI-enhanced teaching and learning.