Soon Open-Book Exams will be Replaced by AI

By now, it’s well established that students see ChatGPT as a synonym for assignments and research papers. However, the tables are now turning and it’s the faculty’s turn to embrace the potential of AI. 

At a Digii Survey press meet held recently, AIM kicked off a conversation around the concept of open book examinations and how AI could play a role in this shift. 

Sagar Gulati, head, School of Computer Science and IT, Jain University, Bangalore, sees value in this approach. “As a student, if you give me an assignment with access to both books and AI, you’re asking me to solve an intriguing scenario,” he noted.

Reflecting on the same, Thayyaba Khatoon Mohammed, a professor in the department of computer science and engineering at Mallareddy University, Hyderabad, highlighted that she too sees a great potential in this approach.

She mentioned that her university already uses AI-based exams, a technique similar to those employed by many organisations in their hiring processes. She believes integrating AI into open-book exams could be a promising idea.

“We need to start exploring this shift towards open-book exams; we’re eager to incorporate it into our system,” Mohammed said. 

But there’s also this important question here: Is this a fair mode of examination? 

Goal: Pass the Exam

University professors argue that the primary goal is merely to make sure students pass the examination. They view assessments as tools for understanding, not as competitive metrics. 

Allowing students to use all available resources, including AI tools like ChatGPT, could offer a valuable experiment in how well they can utilise the resource and clear their examination. 

The concept is not without precedent. The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is an open-book exam, though candidates are only permitted to bring Bare Acts—the text of laws without any related notes. Candidates have unlimited attempts but within two years.

According to recent data shared by the Bar Council of India under the RTI Act, less than half (48.36%) of the candidates managed to pass the All India Bar Examination in 2023. 

So, integrating AI into such exams could simplify the process and potentially make it easier for students to clear them. 

Digii Survey

These are the insights from India’s educators, and there’s even more proof that faculty members see AI as essential to elevate the education system.

Digii, a SaaS provider for higher education, recently released a survey, titled, ‘AI-Driven Education: Maximising the potential of AI to aid educators and enhance educational successes’.

The survey, conducted amongst faculty members from higher education institutes including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad, aimed to capture educators’ perspectives on the growing role of AI in education. 

The findings revealed that 93% of faculty members across these regions are enthusiastic about AI and believe it will significantly enhance their teaching experience. 

“I wish I were in college or university today, where learning and teaching are likely to be significantly enhanced by the introduction of AI in the classroom. Throughout history, there has often been hype surrounding AI, with many grand claims made about its impact. However, I believe that this time, AI is here to stay,” noted Hemant Sahal, the founder and CEO of Digii.

Upskilling Educators

Empowering educators with AI is a crucial step towards providing access to quality learning resources and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students. 

Over the years, several initiatives have been introduced in the space. For instance, The Connect Institute’s Ujjwal Shiksha recently empowered educators to customise their teaching methodologies. This would ensure that each student’s unique learning requirements are addressed, thus optimising their academic and personal growth. 

Here, they are redefining student assessments through data and analytics, and providing educators with comprehensive insights into students’ overall performance. This data-driven approach enables them to design personalised plans, ensuring that every student receives the necessary support to improve. 

Working along similar lines, the Bharti Airtel Foundation has introduced ‘TheTeacherApp’, a platform for teachers to explore and learn high-quality content. 

Another interesting initiative is Infinity Learn’s VISTA (Virtual Intelligent System for Tailored Academics), designed to harness AI to address the issues encountered by both educators and learners. The objective of the initiative is to “Empower Educators for Tomorrow”. 

From conceptualising lesson plans to identifying resources and extracting insights, the tool ensures educators are equipped with the most advanced digital tools, enabling them to recalibrate their teaching strategies for a new era. 

Further, Digii recently launched DigiiAI, a generative AI tool now used in over 20 educational institutions across India, to streamline tasks like attendance tracking, schedule preparation, and assessments, enhancing the teaching experience with advanced AI.

So, as we celebrate Teacher’s Day, let’s empower our educators by embracing the power of AI.  

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