This summer, as artificial intelligence (AI) advances rapidly, educators from home-based learning to urban school districts are pondering the impact AI will have on the new academic year. While the potential of AI is exhilarating, it also faces numerous challenges. Especially after experiencing learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, educators are more urgently seeking effective solutions. In fact, during this process, a frequently overlooked tool—strategic testing—can significantly enhance students' academic performance.
Image source note: The image is generated by AI, authorized by the image service provider Midjourney
By leveraging AI to generate frequent, low-risk assessments, teachers can fully utilize the "testing effect." This phenomenon indicates that learning through testing is far more effective than traditional methods, with memory retention improving by up to 50%. Moreover, this effect is not limited to rote memorization; it also enhances students' understanding of complex concepts. The benefits of such assessments apply to students of various subjects and age groups, and are equally effective for learners with memory impairments.
However, in reality, the frequency of providing students with testing opportunities in the classroom is often low, usually limited to occasional quizzes or unit tests. Teachers face challenges such as time constraints and high pressure, and the development and grading of tests are not only time-consuming but often unrecognized. But AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Claude3.5Sonnet, can quickly generate various personalized assessments, helping teachers more effectively utilize the testing effect. With AI, teachers can easily incorporate frequent, low-risk evaluations into their lesson plans.
For example, in a researcher's test, they used ChatGPT to create a 10-minute natural resources test for sixth graders in Maryland. AI provided multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions along with complete instructions and answers in less than 10 seconds. Teachers can adjust the difficulty and relevance of the test content according to the curriculum needs, and even enhance engagement based on students' interests.
In addition to creating questions, AI can also assist in grading papers and even guide students in self-assessment. For instance, students can use ChatGPT to quickly check feedback content when peer-grading, adding another layer of memory practice. Although teacher evaluation and personalized feedback are still important, they are not always necessary.
AI, as a demand-responsive testing development tool, offers transformative opportunities in the education sector. Utilizing AI to create frequent, low-risk assessments not only saves teachers' precious time but also significantly enhances students' academic performance. Ultimately, such strategic testing allows students to learn better in a low-pressure environment and gives teachers more time to focus on personalized teaching, meeting the needs of different students and improving their own well-being.
As educators navigate through the ever-changing AI educational landscape, strategic testing offers a balanced solution, leveraging AI's capabilities to enhance teaching and learning while preserving the important role of human teachers in the classroom.
Key Points:
- 📚 AI can generate personalized low-risk assessments, helping teachers save time and enhance students' learning outcomes.
- ⏱️ The testing effect indicates that frequent testing can significantly improve students' long-term memory and comprehension abilities.
- 🧑🏫 AI not only assists in question creation and grading but also helps students in self-assessment, enhancing the learning experience.