Is It Time for Universities to Embrace the Oral Exam in the Age of AI?
Are universities due for a change in the way they assess students’ knowledge and skills? With the emergence of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT, it’s hard to ignore the possibilities for educational applications. But with the rise of AI-generated essays and the risk of plagiarism, universities may want to consider reverting back to the tried-and-true method of oral exams.
The oral exam dates back thousands of years to ancient Greece, where philosophers would publicly defend their knowledge. It was also widely used in Muslim law and medicine and continued to be an integral part of education at the medieval University of Paris. However, the oral exam lost its prominence as universities favored written assessments in the 1700s.
Now, as AI chatbots become increasingly prevalent in education and academia, some countries and institutions are rediscovering the value of oral exams. Norway, for example, still uses the viva in its postgraduate programs and until recently, extensively used it in undergraduate education. High school students there must also sit in at least one oral exam in a random subject.
Oral exams provide a rich and authentic form of assessment that takes into account content quality and answering skills of students. They also give students the opportunity to explain and clarify their work, which isn’t possible with solely written assessments. In fact, research has shown that oral exams reduce cheating accusations and offer students a chance to grow as individuals.
It’s time for universities to shift the conversation back to assessment that actually involves a “conversation.” Writing would still be important, but it’s essential to appreciating the importance of how students can talk about their knowledge and skills. With students facing new challenges and AI continuing to evolve, the oral exam may be the key to ensuring integrity in assessments.
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Editor Notes: The benefits of oral exams in education are undeniable, and as AI technology continues to advance, it’s important to consider how it can integrate with traditional methods for the best outcomes. The rise of AI-generated work calls into question the authenticity and integrity of student work, but oral exams provide a solution that minimizes dishonesty and promotes the growth of students. It’s time for universities to seriously consider incorporating oral exams back into their assessments in order to ensure the best outcomes for students.
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