Case Study: Oral Exam
Inspiration for adding or redesigning oral exams as part of your course assessments.
The foundational text on authentic assessment is Grant Wiggins, “Ensuring authentic performance” (Chapter 2 of Educative Assessment (1998).
While “AI-Proof” strategies exist (oral exams, LockDown browser), they work best as a complement to “authentic assessments”: assignments in which students apply course concepts to real-world scenarios or novel contexts, encountering objects, ideas, or data-sets as they would in “the wild.” This mode of engagement requires them to be comfortable with uncertainty and adopt iterative problem-solving skills. It can also offer enhanced opportunities for building metacognitive skills, giving students regular junctures at which to reflect upon their experience and process.
- Use resources that are not accessible to generative AI tools, including many of the resources in Yale’s digital collections
- Have students represent knowledge beyond text (e.g., leading discussion, recording a podcast). Consider tools like VoiceThread.
- Have students share work and answer questions—via class presentation or brief discussion with you or a teaching team member.
- Help students prepare for and see the value in oral or (hand)written exams
- Probe for authentic uses of AI tools; how is it being used in your discipline or field?
- Creatively assess students’ AI use and encourage them to understand their own practices
Grading & AI
A recent Yale PhD’s reflections on the challenges of AI detectors, AI grading agents, and centering literacy and meta-reflection.
Classroom Assessment Resources
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UIC: Authentic Assessments
University of Illinois Chicago maintains a comprehensive list of “types” of authentic assessment, including a range of “products” and “performances”
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Classroom Assessment Techniques
Classroom assessment techniques (CATs) are quick evaluations of student learning that can be implemented in class.
AI Course & Assignment Design Topics
Explore our resources to learn more.
