Seeking faculty input on AI-assisted grading
Dear faculty colleagues,
As we navigate teaching in the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence (AI), we continue to always prioritize our students and the world-class instruction we are entrusted with delivering. At the same time, we are pedagogical innovators, and we must also be open to new approaches and experimentation that can make us even better.
We are writing today because we have received questions from faculty who are interested in experimenting with AI assistance in grading and assessing student work.
This is a controversial topic across higher education, so to be clear, grading and assessing student work at Northwestern is always the responsibility of faculty, and we must never diminish the work we put into instruction for our students.
However, we understand that faculty may be interested in experimenting with AI tools to enhance their methods of evaluating student work. Like so many issues related to AI, the technology and tools are developing rapidly, and this one in particular demands sensitivity to a range of legal, ethical and practical concerns and perspectives.
To facilitate dialogue on institutional guidance and policy development, the Office of the Provost and the Faculty Senate are collaborating to offer two ways for faculty to provide input:
- First, we have created an online form for faculty to provide input.
- Second, we invite you to an online discussion, "AI-Assisted Grading: Policies and Guidelines," scheduled at 11 am to noon on Thursday, March 19th. Please register online.
We are hopeful that through the online discussion, the feedback form or other means, you will keep us informed about what student assessment tools interest you, how you are testing them, and what questions you may have. This information will help us as we develop clear and effective guidance and policies.
Grading is just one of the current points of interest in AI and education. The Office of the Provost’s Generative AI Advisory Committee continues to work on a range of issues related to AI in education, including support for teaching practices that do not include AI but are impacted by AI.
As you think broadly about AI in classes, the Office of the Provost reminds instructors that the use of any AI tools must comply with all FERPA requirements regarding student work. Legally protected information, such as grades, student work or evaluations, may not be uploaded or provided to any AI tool that does not have a University-approved data protection agreement and has not passed security review. At this time, Microsoft Copilot’s enterprise product may be used but not ChatGPT or other consumer tools for any student information. You can find more guidance and resources on the Northwestern Information Technology website, where you can also find information on the process of security review for new consumer tools.
If you are not sure about ideas you have for instruction, raise the question and continue to stay engaged with your department and school as policies and guidelines about the usage of AI by instructors evolve.
Thank you in advance for your help with this important issue. We hope this collaborative effort leads to opportunities for instructors to enhance their capabilities while ensuring that our students receive the pedagogical rigor and consideration they deserve.
Sincerely,
Karen Smilowitz
Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
Chair, Generative AI Advisory Committee
James N. and Margie M. Krebs Professor in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences & Operations Department, Kellogg
Jill Wilson
Faculty Senate, Past-President
Professor of Instruction and Associate Department Chair, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences