Ensuring Integrity of Online Examinations and Assignments Given Availability of Artificial Intelligence Technologies
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the measures taken to protect the integrity of online assessments from generative artificial intelligence, as raised by Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing replied that schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) utilize secured network environments, remote supervision, and strict disciplinary rules to deter cheating. He noted that educators detect AI-generated work by monitoring student proficiency through daily interactions and various assessment modes that reveal uncharacteristic responses. Furthermore, institutions emphasize the importance of academic integrity and the consequences of plagiarism to encourage the ethical use of technology. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing added that these strategies will continue to evolve to keep pace with the development of new AI tools.
Transcript
20 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Education with the advent of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence technologies readily available to students of all levels, what safeguards will schools and educators put in place to ensure the integrity of online examinations and assignments.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: As with any technology, ChatGPT and similar generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools present both opportunities and challenges for teaching and learning. When used judiciously, these tools can help teachers in the planning and delivery of lessons and can support students in their learning. While there is potential for students to misuse these tools, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have adopted a range of practices that help to guard against the misuse of AI technology for academic cheating.
First, students are reminded that there are clear rules and regulations pertaining to dishonesty and plagiarism in schools and IHLs and that there are consequences for breaching any of the stipulated rules and regulations.
In schools, students sit for online examinations in a supervised environment using a secured network environment with features that prevent students from accessing unauthorised materials. In IHLs, students required to take examinations online are supervised remotely to prevent use of other tools.
In their daily work, students are taught the importance of integrity and the harmful impact and consequences of plagiarism. In addition, through daily interactions with students and from using multiple modes of assessment, teachers are able to gauge students' proficiency and detect uncharacteristic responses that could be AI-generated.
Our schools and IHLs will continue to remind their students of the importance of academic integrity and to equip schools to safeguard the integrity of assessments and assignments. Our approaches will evolve as we adapt to the use of new AI tools.