This month we welcomed two guest speakers, Klaudia Adamczyk, Lecturer in ESOL Partnerships at West Thames College and Bryony Evett Hackfort, Director of teaching, learning and education at Coleg Sir Gâr/ Coleg Ceredigion.
Unfortunately, due to technical issues Klaudia’s presentation couldn’t be delivered fully during the session. We are looking forward to welcoming her back in the Autumn term to deliver her session, which explores the intersection of AI and employability.
In the second half of the session Bryony shared their college’s current pilot of an AI Assessment Scale designed to clarify the appropriate use of AI in assignments.
Their scale is based on the AI Assessment Scale (AIAS), developed by Leon Furze, Mike Perkins, Jasper Roe, and Jason MacVaugh. Bryony explained why they chose to adapt this scale, highlighting its positive, constructive approach to the conversation around AI use and assessment. She took us through how they adapted the original scale, and introduced it to learners and staff with accompanying resources that explain clearly the different levels with examples and practical tips. Throughout the process, they have prioritised transparency and invited learners to provide feedback.
Bryony shared that early feedback from the pilot has been overwhelmingly positive. Over 90% of learners said the scale helped them better understand how to use AI appropriately in their work, while nearly 100% found the guidance clear and useful. Importantly, their pilot is supported by a wider framework across the college, one that is focused on encouraging the ethical and effective use of AI to enhance, not replace, teaching and learning.
If you missed the session, you can watch a recording of Bryony’s presentation on our YouTube channel.
Discussion with the community
During the discussion, members were interested in different processes for obtaining consent for learners to use AI tools and how to be transparent on how AI is used by both staff and learners more generally. Approaches were shared, including informing learners about AI use during enrolment, and using consent forms that outline expectations for ethical and responsible engagement.
There was also discussion around the use of AI for translation and language support, particularly for Welsh. With members noting both the opportunities for increased accessibility and the continued challenges of ensuring accuracy.
Members also shared links to some of the resources they’ve found helpful in their AI journeys:
AI Teacher Handbook – Adobe cloud storage
Leon Furze – Home – Leon Furze
Are you exploring AI assessment scales at your college?
We know that many colleges are currently undertaking similar pilots, creating and adapting their own AI use scales for assessment. We are keen therefore, to gauge interest in more specific practice sharing around the use of assessment scales, exploring what works well and what doesn’t and sharing that with the sector.
If this is of interest to you, please get in touch with us at AI@jisc.ac.uk.
Next session
Tuesday 13th May 2025, 12.30 – 1.15
Exams special: A preview of our AI and Assessment working group’s top tips resource
We will hear from Senior AI Specialist Paddy Shepperd who will be sharing a preview of our AI and Assessment working group’s new resource ‘FE AI and Assessment Top Tips’. The AI and Assessment working group comprises volunteers from the community who have collaborated with members of the Jisc AI team to develop specific, practical advice around assessment and AI.
This will be an interactive session, introducing the resource and seeking feedback from attendees, but also inviting wider discussion on AI, assessment and the issues facing FE colleges today.
Share next year
We are looking for members of the FE community to share at community sessions next academic year.
This is a great opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned, and engage in wider discussions with the AI in FE community.
You may want to:
- Share some of your institution’s journey with AI
- Talk about a pilot you’ve undertaken
- Share a specific use case you’ve explored
- Lead a discussion on a theme of your choice
If you might like to volunteer or just want to discuss an idea for a session, please get in touch – AI@Jisc.ac.uk
Find out more by visiting our Artificial Intelligence page to view publications and resources, join us for events and discover what AI has to offer through our range of interactive online demos.
Join our AI in Education communities to stay up to date and engage with other members.
Get in touch with the team directly at AI@jisc.ac.uk