Recipes By Design

Assessments are tools to enhance and examine learning. Traditionally, assessments were considered tools of learning, meaning measurements of content acquisition. However, we suggest thinking of assessments as integral to learning processes — tools for learning.

Using a variety of assessment approaches is necessary so students with different skills and backgrounds can flourish. Middle States Higher Education Commission (2007) identifies several core assessment characteristics, including:

This section consists of recipes that incorporate instructional design elements to demonstrate their potential in a learning context. These recipes emphasize “Authentic Assessment” – practical application and critical thinking, aligning academic tasks with the types of challenges students will face in their professional careers.

Authentic assessments are a manner of getting students to engage with their learning. Think of activities that apply the concepts students are learning to real-world scenarios and problems. Authentic assessments can be more meaningful because they directly relate to students’ career, interests, and personal background.

Examples of authentic assessments include:

• Reflective questions that relate to current events and/or problems that students may encounter and/or may impact their career.
• Case studies that bring to life a personal story and problem that needs to be solved.
• Role playing various roles, strategies, and situations they may encounter.
• Experiential learning like simulations and internships that allow students to apply and practice skills.

Authentic assessments are valuable, but time-consuming. The recipes in this section are designed to leverage generative AI to help make authentic learning more feasible.

Considerations for this Section

Start small. Artificial intelligence and authentic assessment can become overwhelming if you let them, but it’s important to consider both concepts. We hope this cookbook helps you get started by providing ideas and a framework. In this section, recipes are structured in assignment templates based on the Transparency in Learning and Teaching in Higher Ed (TILT Higher Ed) framework that stresses transparency and clarity in purpose, tasks, and criteria for success. In each recipe, or example assignment, you’ll see highlighted sections that will require modification from you or your students. We recommend thoroughly testing each assignment before implementing it in your course.

Introducing AI Tools to Students

Not all students have significant experience with using AI tools. It is recommended that you give students a low or no-stakes chance to try a generative AI tool before requiring its use on an assignment. For example, you might ask students to sign into Microsoft Copilot using their UM account and create a short poem about themselves using their hobbies or interests, or to create an image that describes themselves, or some other fun and personal experience that allows students to understand what AI can generate. This is also a great opportunity for those creations to be shared in a discussion post so that students can get to know one another.

Please note that the output of generative AI is not guaranteed to be accurate! It is your responsibility to verify the statements made by the AI in any activity.