- Opinion
Rediscovering Human Judgement: Disputation in the Age of AI
In our rapidly advancing technological landscape, artificial intelligence is reshaping numerous aspects of education and assessment. However, as we embrace these innovations, it's crucial to remember the value of human judgment and critical thinking. This is where we can draw inspiration from the medieval tradition of The Disputation, particularly in relation to comparative judgement approaches.
The Disputation: A Medieval Tradition with Modern Relevance
The disputation was a central form of academic exercise in medieval universities, involving structured debates and arguments. It required students to compare and evaluate different positions, developing their reasoning and argumentation skills. This practice shares some conceptual similarities with modern comparative judgement methods, which rely on human experts making relative comparisons between pieces of work.
Comparative Judgement: Harnessing Human Expertise
Comparative judgement, as implemented in RM Compare, leverages the power of human judgment in assessment. This approach recognizes that while AI can analyze vast amounts of data, it lacks the comprehensive contextual judgment that humans possess. By having experts compare pairs of work samples, we tap into the nuanced understanding and holistic evaluation that only human assessors can provide.
Accentuating Human Judgment in the AI Era
As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in education, it's essential to strike a balance between technological advancements and human insight. The disputatio tradition and comparative judgement both emphasize:
- Critical thinking and argumentation skills
- Holistic evaluation of work
- The importance of context and nuance in assessment
By incorporating these elements into our assessment practices, we ensure that human judgment remains at the forefront, even as we leverage AI tools to support the process.
Rediscovering Our Humanity
The integration of AI in education offers an opportunity to rediscover and emphasize uniquely human qualities. This idea is beautifully exemplified in Ai Weiwei's "81 Questions" project, where the renowned artist poses thought-provoking questions about humanity, society, and our relationship with technology.
Just as Ai Weiwei encourages us to reflect on our human experience, the rise of AI in education prompts us to focus on aspects that machines cannot replicate, such as creativity, compassion, and empathy.
In assessment, this means:
- Valuing the ability to provide nuanced, contextual feedback
- Emphasizing the importance of human-to-human interaction in the learning process
- Recognizing the role of empathy and understanding in evaluation
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach
As we navigate the integration of AI in education and assessment, let's draw inspiration from the disputation tradition and the principles of comparative judgement. By doing so, we can create assessment practices that harness the power of technology while accentuating the irreplaceable value of human judgment.
In this era of rapid technological advancement, RM Compare stands at the forefront of assessment innovation, offering a platform that combines the efficiency of technology with the nuanced understanding of human experts. By embracing this balanced approach, we not only improve our assessment practices but also reaffirm the fundamental importance of human judgment in education.