I recently attended the e-Assessment Association (eAA) Conference where thought leaders gathered to learn, teach, and network. The theme focused on "Keeping our Humanity in the World of Digital Assessment." This theme was felt throughout the sessions, by highlighting the human element in a world of AI-driven assessment and learning.
Dr. Mary Richardson kicked off the conference by setting the tone with her keynote address, which emphasized that while AI is becoming an essential part of assessment and learning, it is crucial that we use it responsibly. The idea that AI can complement the human touch was a recurring theme. As AI evolves, its use in creating quality learning materials will undoubtedly continue being a staple topic.
The conference featured many themes that reflected the current and future landscape of digital assessment, such as:
- Learning Shaping Assessment
- AI Evolution
- Privacy, Data Security, Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Fairness and Accessibility in Digital Assessment
- Trust and Malpractice
- Mental Health and Digital Assessment
Among these, AI evolution dominated the agenda. I attended sessions led by acknowledged experts such as David Yunger of Vaital, Rory McCorkle of Strasz Assessment Systems, Isabelle Gonthier of PSI, and Paul Muir of Surpass where they underscored the importance of knowledge exchange and publication in this field. Their insights reinforced the belief that AI will shape the industry for generations, while highlighting the need for ethical and responsible deployment.
During my time there, I had the privilege of presenting on a topic that is important to me, the intersection of assessment and learning, with a focus on enhancing the learner’s experience. Integrations are pivotal in crafting a seamless learning journey, providing access to educational content in various modalities precisely when needed. This approach leads to efficacious outcomes, supported by data validation.
The session was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many attendees expressing their challenges in improving employee training effectiveness, which begins with seamless access to the necessary learning materials. The robust discussions that followed the presentation underscored the role of data in measuring knowledge gain and creating personalized learning journeys that enhance success. Key takeaways included the critical role of data in delivering optimal learning outcomes and the importance of personalization in learning, highlighting the collective effort to refine digital assessment tools to better serve learners' needs.
The eAA Conference not only underscored the importance of maintaining our humanity in the age of digital assessment but also provided a platform for meaningful exchanges that will drive the responsible use of AI for us as educators. As we look ahead, the integration of technology and human-centric approaches will be key to advancing the field and achieving successful learning outcomes.
