Page 13 - ADU Smart Learning Center Issue 1

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ADU

Assessment Strategy

Can you discuss recent innovations or plans for incorporating emerging assessment methods to adapt to
the evolving educational landscape?

I believe we must continue to be aspirational in what we plan to do, how we implement our planned assessment
activities, and how we measure them. We must focus on continuous improvement, and this may include
the adoption of AI and other emerging technologies. In this regard, I believe ADU is ahead of the game, for
example, we currently have a strong emphasis on the positive implications of ChatGPT for teaching learning
and assessment which is led by our Vice Chancellor Professor Hamad Odhabi. We will continue to seek ways
to use emerging teaching, learning and assessment processes for the benefit of our students and we have a
whole of institution approach to this from senior management to the most junior faculty members.

How does the assessment strategy ensure inclusivity and ethical considerations, especially regarding
diverse student populations, and foster a culture of self-assessment and reflection among students and
faculty?

As I mentioned, Abu Dhabi University has an exceedingly diverse student base. At ADU we seek to ensure that
the student voice is heard in all major areas of university operations and the faculty assessment strategy is no
different. At the outset in my role as Chair of this project, I met with the student council, explained to them the
broad framework of the strategy, and discussed what we planned to achieve and how it would benefit students.
They in turn consulted with the student body to inform them of our plan. Their feedback was overwhelmingly
positive, and their suggestions have been incorporated into the strategy. Ethical considerations, of course, are
extremely important and, for this reason, we have a dedicated office solely focused on academic integrity. We
will work closely with this office as we implement the strategy.

What measures are in place within the assessment strategy to continually train and develop faculty
in assessment techniques, incorporating feedback loops and utilizing technology effectively to refine
assessment practices?

Faculty professional development is a core feature of the development of the assessment strategy. Fortunately,
we are blessed to have had the foresight to establish the Smart Learning Center in the academic year
2021/2022. The Center focuses on professional development in teaching, learning, and assessment and this
is the natural home for ADU faculty professional development in these critical areas. Each college also has its
own, discipline-specific, faculty with expertise and skills to assist in the training required to implement new
and relevant assessment practices within their colleges. The Smart Learning Center also has the capacity to
draw on internal and external expertise to address our training needs. We have seen several examples of this
already and there are more to come. Further training and development are provided through our association
with the Higher Education Academy in the UK and many of our faculty have already achieved fellowship status
with this academy.

Abu Dhabi University | SMART Learning Center Newsletter Issue 1