In addition to revising assessments that focus on relational pedagogies; offer students authenticity, flexibility, and variety; and emphasize reflection, faculty can use generative AI to generate ideas on assessments that align with their course outcomes.
In these examples, we prompted Claude.ai with the following:
“We’d like to explore the idea of faculty using gen A.I. to design assessments. If I gave you a learning outcome, could you design three similar assessments—one that is vulnerable to having students use A.I. to complete it, one that might mitigate A.I. use, and one that requires students A.I. for part of the assignment?”
We asked Claude.ai to use a learning outcome that might appear in a 2nd-year course on organizational behaviour (that a student, by the end of the course, will be able to “analyze the impact of different leadership styles on employee motivation and productivity in diverse organizational settings”) and to develop three assessments:
- One that is vulnerable to having students use AI to complete it
- One that might mitigate generative AI use by students
- One that requires students use AI for part of the assignment
We edited these only slightly to provide examples of both how instructors could use generative AI for lesson planning and assessment design, but also how assignments can be adjusted to account for individual instructors’ comfort levels and preferences around student gen AI use.
Vulnerable Students’ AI Use
The assignment that is vulnerable to having students use AI to complete starts, “Write a 1500-word essay analyzing the impact of different leadership styles on employee motivation and productivity in diverse organizational settings. Your essay should…” You can read the full output below or download the “Vulnerable” example as a PDF.
Full Example
Assessment 1: Leadership Styles and Organizational Impact
[Vulnerable to GenA.I. Use]
Write a 1500-word essay analyzing the impact of different leadership styles on employee motivation and productivity in diverse organizational settings. Your essay should:
- Define and explain at least three different leadership styles (e.g., autocratic, democratic, transformational).
- Discuss how each leadership style affects employee motivation and productivity.
- Provide examples of how these leadership styles might manifest in different organizational settings.
- Conclude with your thoughts on which leadership style is most effective for maximizing employee motivation and productivity.
Use academic sources to support your arguments and cite them using APA format.
Submission: Upload your essay as a PDF to Brightspace by the due date.
Mitigates Students’ AI Use
The assignment that starts with, “You will be presented with a detailed case study of a fictional organization facing leadership challenges. Analyze the case study and answer the following questions…” You can read the full output below or download the “Mitigated” example as a PDF.
Full Example
Assessment 2: Leadership Analysis Project
[Mitigates GenA.I. Use]
Part 1: Case Study Analysis (In-class, 60 minutes)
You will be presented with a detailed case study of a fictional organization facing leadership challenges. Analyze the case study and answer the following questions:
- Identify the current leadership style(s) exhibited in the case.
- Explain how these leadership styles are impacting employee motivation and productivity.
- Propose an alternative leadership approach that could improve the situation.
Part 2: Peer Interview and Report (Take-home component)
- Interview a classmate about their personal experience with different leadership styles in their work or academic life. (Provide proof of interview – audio recording or signed statement)
- Write a 750-word report comparing your classmate’s experiences with the theories discussed in class. Include:
- A brief summary of your classmate’s experiences
- Analysis of how their experiences align with or differ from theoretical expectations
- Your insights on how organizational context influenced the effectiveness of the leadership styles described
Part 3: Reflection and Application (In-class presentation, 5 minutes)
Prepare a short presentation reflecting on:
- How has this project changed your understanding of leadership impacts?
- How will you apply this knowledge in your future career?
Submission: Upload your written report and presentation slides to Brightspace by the due date. Your presentation will be delivered in class. A sign-up form will be available shortly.
Requires Students’ AI Use
The assessment that requires students use AI for part of the assignment starts with, “Use a generative AI tool (e.g., Copilot) to produce a 500-word analysis of how autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles impact employee motivation and productivity in a tech startup environment…” You can read the full output below or download the “Integrated” example as a PDF.
Full Example
Assessment 3: Leadership Style Analysis and AI-Assisted Critique
[Student GenA.I. Use Integrated]
Part 1: AI-Generated Leadership Analysis
- Use a generative AI tool (e.g., Copilot) to produce a 500-word analysis of how autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles impact employee motivation and productivity in a tech startup environment.
- Include the exact prompt you used and the unedited AI output in your submission.
Part 2: Critical Evaluation and Enhancement (1000 words)
- Evaluate the AI-generated content:
- Identify any biases, oversimplifications, or inaccuracies in the AI’s analysis.
- Assess the AI’s understanding of how organizational context (tech startup) influences leadership effectiveness.
- Enhance the analysis:
- Provide additional insights or nuances missing from the AI-generated content.
- Incorporate real-world examples or case studies to support or counter the AI’s points.
- Discuss how cultural diversity within the tech startup might influence the impact of different leadership styles.
Part 3: Reflection on AI Use in Leadership Analysis (500 words)
- Reflect on the strengths and limitations of using AI for leadership analysis.
- Discuss how leaders in organizations might effectively use AI tools while avoiding potential pitfalls.
- Propose guidelines for the ethical use of AI in leadership decision-making processes.
Submission: Compile all parts into a single document and upload it to Brightspace by the due date. Be prepared to discuss your findings in class.
