Creating innovative assessment formats through developing a chatbot simulation and grading capabilities for interactional assignments

Innovative project idea

As AI changes education, standard exams (e.g., essay writing) that GenAI can complete are challenged. This project focuses on harnessing AI to develop innovative assessment formats and grading capabilities needed for them. We develop 1) an AI chatbot simulation where students use concepts from class to advise an AI manager on problems in their organization, and 2) grading capabilities for reflection exercises, chatbot transcripts and audio transcripts of interviews with employees about their organization, where students apply course concepts to diagnose the employee’s organization’s culture.

Added value for students and teaching

The project tests out three new and innovative educational concepts for course assessments that a) aim to be interactive and engaging for students; b) focus on critical future skills that are a "value add" above what technology can produce; c) harness AI as an educational tool and encourage student interaction with this critical technology; and d) can be successfully implemented in large lecture classes. The project develops new teaching assessments and grading capabilities that can be used long-term for instructors in a variety of subjects across the UZH.