Ahmedabad: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses at IIT Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) often include unorthodox assessment methods such as open-book or open-internet examinations and field visits, followed by hands-on prototype development.“Instructors continue to use these methods with questions that limit the efficacy of AI tools or where the student’s intellect is necessary even with use of AI. Individual viva-voce in courses prevents use of AI while transcending student limitations in language,” said Prof Bhaskar Datta, dean (academic affairs) at IIT-Gn.While academic institutes grapple with the challenge of ensuring parity and mitigating the impact of AI usage, they are also finding ways to make the journey more about process and understanding.Prof Santosh Patra, associate dean (academics), at Mica, said that take-home exams and reflection papers are often AI-restricted. Faculty use in-class viva, oral defence of submissions, process journals, and AI use disclosure statements requiring students to explain their tool use. “Mica has revised assessment design to include AI-restricted formats, disclosure requirements, and viva-based evaluation, ensuring genuine student learning is assessed despite widespread AI tool availability,” he said.Dr Harsh Shah, a faculty member at IIPH Gandhinagar, said that the institute relies on classroom-based written assessments, oral examinations, structured viva sessions, field-based or practical assessments, presentation and group discussions, and case-based assessments for holistic evaluation of students’ learning.He added that while the tools are allowed for drafting outline or framework, improving clarity and structure, the intellectual core of the research must originate from the students. “We encourage responsible use of digital tools that are closely monitored by the ethical committee. The takeaway message is balanced approach to the tech,” said Dr Shah.
