Georgia Institute of Technology: Key Strategies to Elevate Assessment and Learning Through AI

The idea of Artificial Intelligence has been around for more than 70 years but has recently taken center stage in the education space. As AI and Generative AI such as ChatGPT and chatbots become increasingly more accessible, institutional leaders are keen to harness AI’s ability to process learning analytics, individualize learning experiences, and transform assessments. While AI offers significant opportunities to impact teaching and learning, it is not without risks. Plagiarism, loss of critical thinking, increasing the digital divide, and conversations around ethics and integrity are just a few concerns institutions must navigate. 

Samba Diop, Sr. Digital Learning Manager at Georgia Institute of Technology, recently shared how they have embraced artificial intelligence through unique and innovative programs and partnerships without sacrificing academic integrity.

Spread Awareness and Encourage Exploration of AI

Georgia Tech is no stranger to AI’s ability to automate complex tasks, extract insights from data, and interact with users through natural language interfaces. In the spring of 2016, they launched Jill Watson, their first AI teaching assistant through Canvas, their learning management system. Jill Watson is deployed in over 40 online classes with more than 12,000 students. Today, they are developing Jill+, a more scalable tool for teachers and learners powered by ChatGPT. 

To ensure continuous and conscientious institution-wide adoption, they have implemented a three-part strategy for all of their AI initiatives:

  • Strategic collaboration: Boosting their AI capabilities through knowledge-sharing
  • Responsible adoption: Driving adoption through a complete understanding of AI
  • Intentional access to tools: Empowering students, faculty, and staff to leverage AI effectively

This strategy sets the foundation for their work to change the conversation around AI. It is informed by Georgia Tech’s AI Guidelines, set by the Office of Information Technology. The guidelines aim to list all available tools vetted for security, privacy, and accessibility standards and share the privacy and data security implications that should be considered when using these tools. 

AI Training and Pedagogy

The Center for Teaching and Learning has taken a proactive approach to educating faculty on best practices and pedagogy for using AI and implementing it into Universal Design for Learning. They use it to create course content and brainstorm ideas for unique assessments. The recent focus has been on using Generative AI. The Center for Teaching and Learning has provided three strategies for how to use GenAI to boost the learning experience effectively:

  • Instructional Assistant: Leverage GenAI to develop entirely new courses with unique syllabus items, rubrics, and engaging assessments
  • Learning Assistant: Allow students to use GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot to help with brainstorming and instant feedback on assignments
  • Student Assignments: Use GenAI within assignments so students learn about AI within their discipline

The Center continues to find ways to educate faculty on using AI to create inclusive, culturally responsive learning focused on student well-being and success.

Advance AI through Discovery

The AI Hub at Georgia Tech leads the development of new paths to educate and train the next generation of the AI workforce. Established to advance AI through discovery, interdisciplinary research, responsible deployment, and next-generation education, it has seen over 500 AI researchers and hundreds of students studying AI.

Establish Partnerships in AI

The AI Makerspace gives students access to computing resources typically available only to researchers or technology companies. Established in collaboration with NVIDIA, this innovative sandbox aims to:

  • Prepare students to be the new generation of AI professionals
  • Help students understand and use artificial intelligence in the classroom
  • Impart the essential principles of AI to all students

The Future of AI at Georgia Tech

AI is a foundational tool at Georgia Tech that supports new academic and research opportunities, boosts learning experiences, and impacts campus operations. But what does the future look like? Georgia Tech is looking beyond the classroom and identifying ways to use AI to process data analytics in new facets, like student retention. 

Prevent and Deter Improper Use of AI

Georgia Tech is at the forefront of artificial intelligence, and they understand it’s impact on the teaching and learning experience. There are instances where educators are looking to deter and prevent the use of AI to evaluate students’ critical thinking skills and creativity. With over 19,000 undergraduate students and vast online programs, Georgia Tech chose Honorlock to help prevent and deter improper use of AI during assessments.

Honorlock’s innovative online proctoring service combines AI technology with live, human proctors to effectively detect and deter improper use of AI tools and uphold exam integrity. Honorlock can protect against prohibited use of AI, when needed, by:

  • Restricting access to other browsers, extensions (such as Transcript or ChatGPT), and applications so AI tools can’t be used when not allowed
  • Listening for commands that activate voice assistants, such as Siri or Google, which could be used to leverage AI
  • Preventing test takers from pasting pre-copied text from AI tools into exams and assignments
  • Checking the room for unauthorized secondary devices like cell phones
  • Recording desktop screens to identify the use of AI tools

For an in-depth look into their comprehensive AI strategy, watch the full webinar:

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Additional Resources on AI

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7 tips for Online Proctoring of STEM Exams

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses offer unique challenges when it comes to online assessments: equations can be difficult to replicate in a virtual environment and often exams are high-stakes tests. How do you ensure that you are successfully administering online, paper-based STEM exams that maintain academic integrity? We recently sat down with Kate Beverage, Director of Technology in Teaching and Learning Services at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and discussed best practices for delivering online proctored paper-based STEM exams with Honorlock. She provided her top seven tips for proctoring STEM exams and STEM classes online:

1. Remind instructors to include specific instructions for Honorlock proctors when they enable their exams.

Honorlock student guidelines

When administering online exams, encourage your faculty to include notes specifying if it is a paper-based assessment where the student may divert their eyes down as they work to solve a problem. By including specific instructions, live proctors are made aware and don’t necessarily have to pop-in and interrupt the student. Prepare an instruction template the instructors can use that can easily be customized on their end if needed. Review Honorlock’s recommended Standard Exam Guidelines for more information.

2. Prepare a list for faculty of the recommended settings for your LMS and Honorlock.

Honorlock Proctoring Settings

Put together a recommended settings list for your LMS that points to Honorlock’s resources that describe the settings in greater detail. It removes any confusion and ensures the proctoring tool is used to its fullest capacity. Partner with your Customer Success Manager if you are unsure of what settings make the most sense for you and your institution.

3. Designate a department exam champion.

Select an instructor who will be fully trained and fluent in using Honorlock remote proctoring in addition to having direct access to the CSM in order to quickly help faculty with questions above and beyond the typical use of Honorlock, which can be handled by Honorlock Support. This is particularly useful for a school-wide implementation of the platform where managing proctoring and responding to best practice inquiries can prove challenging. These champions can offer recommendations in terms of test design.

4. Develop an exam question pool to deter cheating.

Work with your assessment design team to create question pools. By having a greater pool, you increase your exam security. Make it a point to review and update your exam pools each semester the course is offered to reduce question sharing among students. WPI recommends taking advantage of Honorlock’s Search and Destroy feature to ensure that copies of your questions are removed from test aid sites.

5. Offer reasonable exam time limits and availability.

Give students a reasonable time to submit their paper-based work that pertains to the exam. Allow extra time for students to properly complete this step. WPI recommends not releasing answers or test scores until all students have completed the exam to reduce the possibility of sharing insight into the exam among each other.

6. Partner with instructional designers when designing exams to mitigate cheating.

Navigating the art of exam writing can be a challenge. Ensure that your faculty taps into their instructional design team to optimize their online assessments. Discuss with your instructional designer the possibility of using images on your tests or displaying one question on the screen at a time for high stakes exams.

7. Have students take the Honorlock practice exam.

Doing the practice exam takes a lot of pressure off for students. It removes the mystery of an online proctored exam before the actual exam.  You don’t want to add extra stress or pressure on students when they’re already trying to learn the content.

These seven tips will guide you in successfully administering virtual assessments for your institution’s STEM classes online in the fall semester and beyond. Do you want to learn more about how Honorlock can proctor your paper-based online exams? Click here to speak with one of our representatives and get a product demo.  

 Learn more about Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s experience using Honorlock for STEM exams in their recent testimonial. 

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Alice Cifuentes

Alice has several years of marketing experience within healthcare and most recently in higher education focused on social media growth, tradeshow management, and communication. She is passionate about creatively navigating new challenges and discovering innovative ways to connect with educators.

Employee Spotlight: Jinela Lee

What motivates you to wake up every morning and make an impact at Honorlock?

The sense of responsibility for my team and knowing that I am contributing to a fast-growing and forward-thinking company helps drive me to make an impact daily.

What are your main responsibilities at Honorlock?

My main responsibilities here at Honorlock are to guide and equip the Record and Review team with what is needed to be successful. Learning the process and training new hires has been one of the largest, yet satisfying, responsibilities to date.

What has been your favorite project so far?

My favorite, yet most challenging project, has been training a new team. This took a lot of work, dedication, and a great team in my corner to make this successful.

What’s something most people at Honorlock don’t know about you?

Most people do not know that I studied and became a Crime Scene Tech. Watching CSI and Unsolved mysteries sparked that fire to study this field. Being able to bring closure to families that were hurting drove the desire, but not wanting to become immune to horror created a different path for me.

What do you love most about being part of the Honorlock team?

What I love most about being part of the Honorlock team is that this is not only a company but more of a family building each other up. Honorlock has ALWAYS had the best interest at heart for their employees. It is truly a blessing to be part of such a great company but an even more amazing group of colleagues.

How has your career grown since starting at Honorlock?

It has grown immensely. I came on board back in March of 2020, thinking I would help for a couple of months in support. I was then asked to be part of a new team, the Record and Review team, in October of 2020. In November I was promoted to the Lead and in January the Manger of the Record and Review team. It has been a great experience and looking forward to continuing to grow here at Honorlock.

What are you most excited about in your future with Honorlock?

I am most excited about the endless possibility of growth with Honorlock. I believe with hard work, dedication, and the desire to learn the possibilities are endless.

Alice Cifuentes

Alice has several years of marketing experience within healthcare and most recently in higher education focused on social media growth, tradeshow management, and communication. She is passionate about creatively navigating new challenges and discovering innovative ways to connect with educators.

University of Florida Warrington College of Business

Honorlock Video Customer Testimonial from the University of Florida
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The student experience means everything at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.

Exceeding the needs of nearly 2,000 graduate and 5,000 undergraduate students takes ongoing effort to learn, adapt, and improve. It’s even more challenging with different faculty needs and considering how educational technology changes each day.

But the online teaching and learning experience at UF’s Warrington College of Business hinges on four factors:

  • Flexibility – accommodates busy schedules and offer different ways to teach and learn
  • Usability – removes technology obstacles and creates a better learning experience
  • Credibility – protects the business program’s reputation and academic integrity 
  • Accessibility – provides an equitable learning experience for every student

“Honorlock helps us get to the core of our mission here at Warrington: being able to offer an MBA to just about anybody. Having a proctoring service focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion made choosing Honorlock an easy fit for us.”

Read Their Story

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Learn more about the programs at the Warrington College of Business.

Alice Cifuentes

Alice has several years of marketing experience within healthcare and most recently in higher education focused on social media growth, tradeshow management, and communication. She is passionate about creatively navigating new challenges and discovering innovative ways to connect with educators.

Building Academic Integrity in Online Courses

The pandemic revealed many benefits of online learning, as well as the appetite for it among students. Drawn by the flexibility and convenience online learning provides, students are driving demand for greater online course offerings. As colleges consider expanding their online programs, how can they ensure academic integrity?

The Chronicle convenes a panel of experts to answer that question in the upcoming virtual forum, “Building Academic Integrity in Online Courses.” Join us as they look back on lessons learned so far and offer projections for online learning’s future.

  • What lessons did institutions learn during the pandemic pivot to virtual learning?
  • What’s the right role for learning technologies like AI proctoring software?
  • How do administrators and faculty members make sure those tools uphold student privacy and equitable education outcomes?

Speakers

Paul Fisher from Seton Hall University

Paul Fisher

Associate CIO & Director TLT Center,
Seton Hall University

Alice has several years of marketing experience within healthcare and most recently in higher education focused on social media growth, tradeshow management, and communication. She is passionate about creatively navigating new challenges and discovering innovative ways to connect with educators.

Team Member Spotlight: Jason Galasso

What motivates you to wake up every morning and make an impact at Honorlock?

I love helping people stay safe from today’s cyber threats. The threats we face in today’s world are much more complex. Helping people & companies learn how they can defend against these threats is a major driver in getting me motivated daily to make a difference. I also have to say, the technology team I work with is fantastic and that is great motivation itself.

What are your main responsibilities at Honorlock?

Anything Cyber Security related…including training, incident investigations, assessing risk, and managing many security tools.

What has been your favorite project so far?

The CIS critical controls audit as well as creating tougher (more believable) phishing exercises are tied for #1.

What’s something most people at Honorlock don’t know about you?

I was selected to represent the United States Al-Star team to play baseball in China. I also LOVE helping kids (6-11) learn about Cyber Security through the Garfield-at-Home project offered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education.

What do you love most about being part of the Honorlock team?

Three things – Honorlock’s people, Honorlock’s mission & Honorlock’s people. Every person I have met are experts in their areas and are always willing to help.  They are also amazing people, personally & professionally.

How has your career grown since starting at Honorlock?

I think the biggest growth area is my personal understanding of how my efforts can directly impact Honorlock’s goals as a company.

What are you most excited about in your future with Honorlock?

Being a part of Honorlock’s growth is exciting enough but having industry-leading security is just as exciting.

Team Member Spotlight: Kyle Tobey

What motivates you to wake up every morning and make an impact at Honorlock?

My team is my main motivation at Honorlock. I wake up every day and want to be the best I can be at my position so that my team can succeed. I am surrounded by brilliant minds, who are all passionate about the product they are working on and testing. Just seeing everyone perform at such a high level makes me want to match their energy and overall output. 

What are your main responsibilities at Honorlock?

My current position at Honorlock is as a QA Engineer, and essentially, I test new features that are introduced to the client-facing side of the product. Me and the other QA on the External, or “Outpost”, Team work closely with the developers to test tickets and bug fixes in order to validate that they are ready for our clients to use. It is also my job as a QA to spot any flaws in the product or point out anything that could improve the quality of life of our customers who are using Honorlock. 

What has been your favorite project so far?

The project I have enjoyed testing for the most at Honorlock would be the Search and Destroy feature. In my two years here, I have watched this feature grow vastly and I am proud to say that I have helped test and offer suggestions to ensure that it works in the best way possible for our instructors. I hope to work on some projects in the future, as I have voiced ideas internally with my team that can potentially improve the way test takers and test administrators use our product, so I hope those will be coming down the pipeline shortly, stay tuned.

What’s something most people at Honorlock don’t know about you?

One thing that many people at Honorlock don’t know about me until they truly meet me is that I offer the perfect mix of sports and geek knowledge. I can talk all day about MLB, NHL, NFL, and NBA then turn around and talk about Star Wars, anime, DC, and Marvel for hours. I have actually created friendships at Honorlock with our Canadian employees bonding over NHL and I’ve strengthened many bonds with other coworkers over new Star wars and Anime media. 

What do you love most about being part of the Honorlock team?

Definitely the people, I have met so many great people throughout my time in Honorlock on the support, QA, and PED teams. Everyone is super helpful and we all share the same goal to maintain and produce the best product possible for our clients. I have created genuine bonds with many employees at Honorlock, and this has only strengthened the work we put out to the public because nobody wants to let anyone down and we help build each other up where needed.

How has your career grown since starting at Honorlock?

Considering that I started out in support here at Honorlock two years ago in April of 2020, I would say my career has grown exponentially. I worked my way through support and earned a role where I was able to connect directly with the instructors and school admins who required assistance with their Honorlock inquiries. After a while in Admin Support, I moved over to the PED team under the role of QA Engineer, and ever since then, I have worked with the External Facing Personas “Outpost” team where I log and test bugs & feature changes.

What are you most excited about in your future with Honorlock?

Being on the External Facing Personas “Outpost” team, I get to see a lot of the great new features and ideas that we have potentially coming through the pipeline. I can’t say what exact feature I am excited for most since it would just be too hard to narrow down, but I can say that I am very excited to work with my team and with my QAs to test and make any improvements to ensure that the best product will be going live to our customers. I hope to grow as best I can to keep up with our vastly improving team and product. 

Alice Cifuentes

Alice has several years of marketing experience within healthcare and most recently in higher education focused on social media growth, tradeshow management, and communication. She is passionate about creatively navigating new challenges and discovering innovative ways to connect with educators.

Team Member Spotlight: Allie Luker

What motivates you to wake up every morning and make an impact at Honorlock?

I have an amazing team that I get to work closely with every day! The enthusiasm our team shares for creating impactful marketing campaigns makes Honorlock an exciting place to work.

What are your main responsibilities at Honorlock?

As a demand generation manager, I focus on the organic side of marketing by transforming all the amazing thought leadership content my team produces into bite-size pieces that will reach our current and potential customers across different marketing platforms. I am lucky to work on a team that is passionate about creating meaningful content on topics that matter to our audience.

What has been your favorite project so far?

Over the last year, our team has produced several thought-leadership eBooks on trending higher education and educational technology topics including:

What’s something most people at Honorlock don’t know about you?

Outside of Honorlock, I am a professional photographer! You can find me behind the camera capturing all things weddings, families, and babies!   

What do you love most about being part of the Honorlock team?

I love the collaboration and positive energy across all Honorlock teams and how every team member is genuinely driven to help create positive experiences for our customers.

How has your career grown since starting at Honorlock?

I have been lucky to grow my design skills! I get to collaborate with my team daily to bring our visual concepts to life.  

What are you most excited about in your future with Honorlock?

I am excited to see our team continue to grow while making positive impacts across the organization and for our customers! 

About Honorlock

What is Honorlock?

Honorlock provides online proctoring software and services to higher education institutions and organizations.

How does Honorlock work?

Our on-demand online exam proctoring solution combines test monitoring software and live exam proctors to protect academic integrity while still supporting student success. Honorlock is used by hundreds of universities and colleges, including several of the largest in the US, and we’re dedicated to providing a better remote testing experience with our advanced online proctoring platform, world-class service, and 24/7/365 support.

Want to learn more about higher education and online learning? Check out our articles, eBooks, videos, and webinars.

Alice Cifuentes

Alice has several years of marketing experience within healthcare and most recently in higher education focused on social media growth, tradeshow management, and communication. She is passionate about creatively navigating new challenges and discovering innovative ways to connect with educators.