Improving Learning with AI-Powered Testing

The New Wave in Online Learning: Exploring the Power of AI

Assessment is the key to creating an effective learning experience that addresses the needs of each student. Questions and questionnaires can be used in different ways and integrated at different points in the learning process to encourage growth. For example, short quizzes can be inserted between sections of an eLearning course to engage students. These tests are not experiments and are not conducted under controlled conditions, but they are very important. They encourage students to compare what they heard or read in the course with their actual understanding. Each question provides explanations and details to help students grasp concepts and refine what they have learned.

Testing can also be done before the training course begins to measure the participants’ initial knowledge levels. Students are then tested under controlled conditions at the end of the course. By comparing the results of these two tests, teachers can accurately measure the knowledge they have gained during the lesson. This comparison provides important insights into the quality of the course and highlights areas that may need improvement.

Digital assessment is also the basis for using effective adaptive learning methods, focusing on individual strengths and putting each student at the center of the learning process.

Assessments can take different forms, from short, interactive questions to controlled tests that determine whether a student receives a certificate or diploma, which can affect their career. Evaluation may also include surveys completed by students, trainers, or managers to assess the quality and effectiveness of the training course.

While online surveys are undeniably effective and valuable, they can often be challenging to implement. Creating quizzes and quizzes takes time and should be seamlessly integrated into each learning session to create a unique and engaging learning experience.

How AI Can Transform Assessment and Transform Learning

Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool that offers many possibilities, including simplifying the use of online testing.

1. Automating Query and Query Creation

Creating questions and questionnaires can be time consuming. Each question requires at least one correct answer and several incorrect options, depending on the type of question. A high-quality questionnaire should include a variety of question formats, such as multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and questions, rather than yes/no or true/false.

With questions embedded in eLearning courses to support learning, the questions should also provide explanations to help students understand the underlying concepts. In tests or evaluations intended to ensure the acquisition of knowledge, broad sets of questions are necessary for reliability. A good test should include at least 30 questions.

Generative AI can greatly speed up query creation:

• Using information
  By giving clear instructions on desired topics, AI can generate a list of questions with right and wrong answers. These questions can be directly linked to quizzes and tests. This method is ideal for well-written general information articles on the Internet. AI can also provide hinted explanations to help students understand the answers.
• Using specific documents
  For special topics, such as company internal policies or health and safety guidelines, AI can generate precise questions based on the provided documents. This method is perfect for employee onboarding, customer training, or other niche areas.
• Generating bugs
  In cases where the questions and correct answers are pre-defined, creating logically incorrect answers (bugs) can be tedious. AI can help with generating bugs, saving valuable time.

As always, AI-generated content should be reviewed to ensure accuracy and eliminate unnecessary or incorrect information.

2. Automate the Grading of Open-Ended Questions

Closed questions, such as multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions, can be easily programmed automatically. Open-ended questions, however, pose a greater challenge. This requires manual grading, as each response must be reviewed, corrected, and entered into each category—a time-consuming process. Therefore, trainers may hesitate to use this type of critical question.

Open-ended questions are very beneficial, encouraging critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the topic. They provide insight into the student’s thought process and allow teachers to assess not only what the student knows, but how they think, deal with problems, and organize arguments. This is very important in identifying areas where the student may need additional support or development. They encourage students to explore ideas, analyze concepts, and express their thoughts fully, fostering creativity, analytical skills, and independent thinking.

AI can simplify the grading process of open-ended questions. With the right integration into digital learning platforms, AI can analyze responses, provide feedback, and assign grades. Additionally, AI can generate sample corrections for each response. Trainers can then focus on poorly edited responses and AI-generated comments, greatly speeding up the grading process.

3. Analyzing Survey Responses

Evaluation can also be in the form of a survey, which collects feedback on the training course. These surveys often include open-ended questions where students can freely share thoughts about the subject.

Analyzing these responses manually is time-consuming but essential to gain a complete understanding of student satisfaction and to identify areas for improvement. AI can help by analyzing text responses and assigning sentiment scores. For example, a very dissatisfied answer might get a score of 1, while a very good answer might get a 10. Analysts can then focus on low-impact responses, setting up a response review process.