[2003]		The Learning, Teaching and Assessment Newsletter of the Faculty of Science, LJMU
Ab		stract #8.1
1849		… to be no more than 536 words.		22^nd Sept 2023
			Artificial Intelligence and Assessment (thanks to Jim Turner) In one way, the rapid appearance of Generative AI tools, including the MS Edge Bing Chatbot (image left), changes nothing: we still aspire to set authentic assessments that foster deep learning. What has changed is that some common assessment practices have a new risk: that students can gain significant advantage through the casual and underhand use of AI tools.
As a Faculty principle we support the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. In line with this, we must now provide clear information to students regarding AI Tool permissions for each assessment, as set out in our COMPASS guidance.
There are no universal solutions to mitigate risk, current AI detection tools being unreliable and problematic. Each assessment requires consideration on a case-by-case basis. Here are some resources to help guide your thinking: · The article by Lodge (University of Queensland) considers our short-, medium- and long-term response to AI. · LJMU Assessment and Feedback Guidance: AI Considerations provides general guidance. · The JISC National Centre for AI includes a resource area with specific suggestions. · LJMU Staff Development: Using Artificial Intelligence to Support Teaching and Learning Oct 12, Nov 9 and Dec 7. · Open-book MCQs that minimise the risk from AIs aka how I spent my summer. · Faculty and University AI networking: more information to follow on this.
	Canvas: Help, Accessibility, and Submitting on behalf of students The University subscribes to the Canvas 24/7 support service and it should be your first port-of-call for issues with Canvas. Under the help icon in the left-hand menu of Canvas, you can ‘log a ticket with Canvas Support’ and indicate the severity of the issue.
The LJMU Education Committee agreed to fund a cloud-based accessibility solution. The aim of this system is to address issues around equal access to digital content, including Canvas, with specific emphasis on supporting students with disabilities. The University is currently in the process of procuring a solution and it will be fully embedded in Canvas. Among its features, it is likely to provide alternative formats for online content for both students and staff. In addition, it should provide course- and institutional-level accessibility reporting and provide instructional feedback to tutors on improving the accessibility of their content. Watch this space! The new Submit on behalf of a student feature allows anyone with a tutor role to submit work on behalf of a students. This is an issue that has been raised before but the expectation is that it would only be used in exceptional circumstances.
Faculty of Science Teaching Awards 2024: Coming soon! The nomination form will be released later this Semester and SMTs look forward to reviewing your suggestions. As usual, FoSTA winners will be invited to apply for an LJMU Teaching Excellence Awards and, last year, we secured two awards and a commendation making us the best-performing Faculty. The awards ceremony takes place Friday 1^st March 2024 and is in the Faculty events diary.
Phil Denton, Faculty of Science Associate Dean (Education and Student Experience) Maintained by SCSADE@ljmu.ac.uk. Last Update: 22/09/2023.