How AI Tools are Enhancing Formative Assessments

Discover how AI-powered tools are revolutionising formative assessments, providing real-time feedback, and enhancing learner outcomes.

The Role of AI in Modern Formative Assessments

In recent years, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into formative assessments has transformed the educational landscape. AI tools are now capable of providing real-time feedback, personalising learning experiences, and identifying areas where students may need additional support. This shift has enabled educators to move away from traditional, one-size-fits-all assessments and towards a more dynamic, responsive approach to measuring student progress.

Generative AI, in particular, has shown promise in creating adaptive assessments that adjust in difficulty based on the learner's performance. This ensures that students are continually challenged at an appropriate level, thereby fostering a more engaging and effective learning experience. By leveraging AI, educators can make data-driven decisions that enhance teaching strategies and ultimately improve student outcomes.

Expert Perspectives on AI in Education

Experts in the education field have widely acknowledged the potential of AI to revolutionise formative assessments. Dr. Rose Luckin, a professor at University College London specialising in AI and education, states, 'AI has the capability to provide nuanced insights into student learning patterns, allowing for more personalized and effective instruction.'

Similarly, Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, has noted, 'The application of AI in formative assessments can help educators understand not just what students know, but how they think and learn. This deeper understanding is crucial for developing tailored educational experiences that meet the unique needs of each learner.'

Real-World Applications: AI in School Settings

In school settings, AI-powered tools are being used to enhance formative assessments in various ways. For example, platforms like DreamBox and Smart Sparrow use AI algorithms to adapt maths and science problems in real-time based on student performance. This immediate adjustment helps maintain an optimal level of challenge and support for each student.

Additionally, AI-driven tools such as Grammarly are being utilised to provide instant feedback on student writing, highlighting areas for improvement and suggesting revisions. This not only helps students hone their writing skills but also allows teachers to focus on higher-order feedback rather than basic grammatical corrections.

AI in Professional Qualifications and Training

The benefits of AI in formative assessment are not limited to school education; they extend into professional qualifications and training as well. In the healthcare industry, for instance, AI-driven simulations are used to assess and enhance the skills of medical professionals. These simulations can adapt to the practitioner's responses, providing a tailored experience that identifies strengths and areas for improvement.

Similarly, in corporate training environments, AI tools like Coursera and EdX use data analytics to track learner progress and provide personalised recommendations. This ensures that employees receive training that is relevant to their current skill levels and career goals, ultimately leading to better performance and job satisfaction.

Future Trends and Innovations in AI-Driven Assessments

As AI technology continues to evolve, its applications in formative assessment are expected to expand and become even more sophisticated. Future trends include the development of more advanced natural language processing capabilities, which will allow AI to provide even more nuanced feedback on open-ended questions and essays. 

Moreover, the integration of AI with virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) holds promise for creating immersive learning environments that can simulate real-world scenarios. These technologies can provide immediate feedback and adapt in real-time, offering a highly engaging and effective way to assess and develop skills across various disciplines.

Technologists and product development experts at RM have been working with organisations to understand the positive application of generative AI as a tool for marking (both short and long-form answers) as well as providing student feedback. A pilot for the first marking tool of its kind, built using a close-language learning model is underway, with impressive accuracy. This is being received well by assessment decision makers with plans to expand the trial to live formative assessment sessions this year.

Discover the results of RM's proof of concept for AI marking and learner feedback by reading our research paper, or bookmarking the RM Assessment AI page for more content, events and updates.