AI tools and strategies for academic grading and learning

The integration of artificial intelligence in education presents both challenges for academic integrity and opportunities for instructional improvement. The tool Docent aims to facilitate effective AI-assisted grading by utilizing a ‘gold answer’—a perfect solution to an assignment—to prevent students from using AI to bypass learning. Docent assists educators in developing comprehensive grading rubrics by analyzing common mistakes across hundreds of assignments and suggesting adjustments to the rubric.

Beyond grading, there is an ongoing debate regarding how students should engage with AI. Rather than ignoring the technology or deferring entirely to it, educators are encouraged to help students develop the skills necessary to navigate an AI-driven world. The goal is to ensure students maintain the ability to gauge their own understanding and avoid the loss of critical learning processes that can occur when relying too heavily on automated tools.