Hebrew University Overhauls Student Assessment Due to AI Concerns
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is changing how it assesses students due to the widespread use of artificial intelligence. Take-home assignments and exams will be supplemented with oral defenses and presentations, as AI makes unsupervised work unreliable. A recent student survey indicated that 87% of students use AI, with many admitting to using it for assignments.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hebrew University will add oral exams and defenses to combat AI use in student work.
- An internal commission found unsupervised assignments unreliable due to artificial intelligence.
- 87% of students surveyed reported frequent use of AI, with 38% using it for assignments.
- The university requires faculty to revise assessment methods to ensure academic integrity.
- Proposed changes include in-class presentations, oral exams, and participation grades.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is implementing significant changes to its student assessment methods following recommendations from an internal commission. The commission concluded that traditional take-home assignments and exams are no longer reliable indicators of student knowledge due to the capabilities of artificial intelligence. To address this, the university will supplement existing exams with oral components and require students to orally defend their seminar papers. Every faculty member and department is tasked with revising their evaluation strategies to align with these new guidelines.
The commission, appointed by the university's rector and led by the vice president for academic affairs, determined that any assessment conducted without direct supervision, including reading assignments, take-home exams, and homework, is susceptible to AI misuse and thus lacks credibility. The body considers work entirely generated by AI to be equivalent to cheating.
While many instructors have reverted to traditional in-class exams, these often fail to develop students' research and academic writing skills. The commission's proposed solutions include in-class presentations with comprehension-testing questions, increased use of oral exams, supervised in-class quizzes and exercises, and grading for class participation.
Furthermore, the commission highlighted the need for faculty training in these new assessment techniques and emphasized that each academic unit must ensure its curriculum remains relevant. A January survey by the National Union of Students revealed that 87% of students frequently use AI, with 38% employing it for assignments and written work, and 43% believing its use violates regulations.
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