Writing Assessments in the Digital Age: Reflecting on, and documenting, the process
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Using AI and/or GenAI tools at NTI
Reflect: Make the Process Conscious
Document: Make the Process Transparent
Acknowledge: Make the Process Explicit
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) tools are increasingly impacting our lives, whether we seek them by choice or because they are embedded in applications of software that we commonly use.
Using AI and/or GenAI tools at NTI
At NTI, as per the Student Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct Policy, deliberate use of AI and GenAI tools is not permitted when working on assessments unless the use of such tools is both:
- Explicitly directed by your subject coordinator; and
- Acknowledged and referenced.
We recommend that you complete the Academic Integrity Training Module (NTI login required) to familiarise yourself with what constitutes ethical use of AI and GenAI tools at NTI. As mentioned in this module, you should read each Learning & Assessment Guide carefully to determine if, and if so, to what extent, you are permitted to use AI and GenAI tools to complete assessment tasks. Be aware that this will vary across subjects and across assessments within the same subject, so do not make any assumptions. If in doubt, seek clarification with your subject coordinator.
Should you be allowed, and decide, to use AI and/or GenAI tools in some capacity, it is important that you reflect on, and document, your process (that is, it is important that you reflect on, and document, how, why and when you are using these tools).
Reflect: Make the Process Conscious
If the use of AI and GenAI tools is allowed, you might choose to use these tools as assistants in your learning process. For instance, these tools could help you clarify complex ideas, organise your thoughts, identify gaps in your understanding or engage more deeply with subject materials. These tools should be used to enrich your learning, never to replace it.
This implies that, if permitted by your subject coordinator, your approach to using AI and GenAI tools will be dynamic: some of you might not benefit at all from using these tools, while others might find value in them for specific aspects of their learning and/or in relation to specific assessment tasks. Developing an awareness of your own learning process is thus key so that you learn how to use these tools in ways that strength your skills and enable you to meet the learning outcomes for each assessment.
When explicit permission is given, should you use AI and/or GenAI tools?
As you reflect on potentially using AI and/or GenAI tools, carefully consider the Learning Outcomes for each assessment:
- What knowledge and skills are you expected to develop, gain and/or demonstrate by working on the assessment?
- Would using AI and/or GenAI tools align with these objectives?
- Would your use of AI and/or GenAI tools be detrimental to your learning and hinder your growth?
- What tools (if any) could strengthen your learning, and how would you use them to ensure that they do contribute to your growth?
- Are you considering using these tools because you are pressed for time and/or lack self-confidence? If so:
- What impact would such uses have?
- What alternatives could you consider?
As you reflect on these questions, keep in mind that, as explained in our Academic Integrity Training Module,
“… you are expected to use your own words in English in your assessments. This will enable you to engage deeply with class materials, develop your critical thinking skills, reflect on your personal perspectives, and articulate your own unique understanding of the subject matter. […] Only by embracing this opportunity can you develop your own academic voice and produce authentic work. This work of learning cannot be outsourced, so be brave and let us hear what YOU have to say. Your voice – the manifestation of the emplaced richness and unicity of your human experience – should shine in every assessment that you write.”
By writing and editing your own work, you will be able to discover and strengthen your own academic voice. When writing academically, the words you choose, and more generally, the language you use, are the expression of who you are (of your values and perspectives): do not give that power away or relinquish it without carefully considering the implications of your decision. Also keep in mind that intellectual plurality and diversity are essential for healthy and enriching academic exchanges: your interpretations and analyses are the strongest when rooted in, and supported by, your own experience and knowledge.
When explicit permission is given, how should you use AI and/or GenAI tools?
If you are allowed, and decide, to use AI and/or GenAI tools, carefully consider what you are asking the tools to do:
- How does your use of the tools support and enhance your growth?
- Have you critically reviewed the outputs of the tools to determine their accuracy?
- What are you learning/have you learnt through your use of the tools, and how can you take this learning forward?
Being intentional in your use of AI and/or GenAI tools is what will ensure that the tools serve as aids in the learning process. By using AI and/or GenAI tools mindfully, you ensure that you maximise their benefits while maintaining academic integrity.
As you consider whether to use AI and/or GenAI tools, and how you would use them, keep in mind that growth and intellectual wellness often require effort: at times, the work of learning can be challenging, painful or confronting. Relying on AI and/or GenAI tools as shortcuts to bypass this difficult work will likely undermine your learning process. Only by using AI and/or GenAI tools mindfully and ethically can you give yourself room to make significant and transformational gain in learning while studying at NTI.
You might want to use our “Mindful and Ethical Use of AI and GenAI Tools” template spreadsheet to help you be intentional and systematic in how you reflect on your use of AI and GenAI tools. Please contact Academic Support should you require any guidance on how to use this spreadsheet.
Document: Make the Process Transparent
Documenting your process when working on an assessment will lead to greater self-awareness through a deeper engagement with, and understanding of, the processes behind your thinking and learning. It will also ensure that you are accountable and maintain academic integrity.
Documenting your process means that you need to keep track of everything that you do, and of everything that you produce, while working on an assessment. You must
- Keep your notes, unedited drafts, outlines and everything else that you produced while working on the assessment; and
- Archive all conversations you have with AI or GenAI tools.
This documentation is particularly important because, as explained in the Academic Integrity Training Module, the onus of proof is on you should there be any concern regarding authorship and originality in your work.
It is a good idea to create a new folder when you start working on an assessment and keep everything related to the assessment in that folder, including all interactions with AI and GenAI tools. It is also a good idea to create a master document or spreadsheet in this folder, separate to the assessment itself, to keep track of what you have done and produced. This can then provide you with a summary of your research and writing process that will encourage you to use AI and/or GenAI tools more mindfully. It will also make acknowledging any use of AI and/or GenAI tools much easier, less time-consuming and more complete in your assessments.
You might want to use our “Assessment Writing Process” template spreadsheet to keep track of what you have done and produced while working on each assessment (this template is also available as a Word document with a separate example PDF). Please contact Academic Support should you require any guidance on how to use the spreadsheet or Word document.
Acknowledge: Make the Process Explicit
As explained in our Academic Integrity Training Module, maintaining academic integrity requires you to acknowledge and reference all use of AI and/or GenAI tools.
This means that you must insert an Acknowledgements section before the Reference List. In this section, you will clearly
- State what tools you have used; and
- Explain how you have used them.
You must also provide full references to these tools in your Reference List. This includes providing links to the conversations/data (or inserting the full conversations with the AI and/or GenAI tools as Appendices if the conversations cannot be retrieved by a link).
Consult the NTI Harvard Referencing Guide for examples and further guidance on how to acknowledge and reference all AI and GenAI tools that you used in completing your assessment.