corbinTalkCheapWhy2025
[!Cite] Corbin, T., Dawson, P., & Liu, D. (2025). Talk is Cheap: Why structural assessment changes are needed for a time of GenAI. Assessment & Evaluation In Higher Education, 50. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2025.2503964
[!Synth] Contribution::
Related::
[!md] FirstAuthor:: Corbin, Thomas Author:: Dawson, Phillip Author:: Liu, Danny ~ Title:: Talk is Cheap: Why structural assessment changes are needed for a time of GenAI Year:: 2025 Citekey:: corbinTalkCheapWhy2025 itemType:: journalArticle Journal:: Assessment & Evaluation In Higher Education Volume:: 50 DOI:: 10.1080/02602938.2025.2503964
[!LINK]
[!Abstract]
Generative AI (GenAI) challenges assessment validity by enabling stu- dents to complete tasks without demonstrating genuine capability. In response to this challenge, institutions have developed and implemented various approaches that aim to communicate permissible AI use to stu- dents. Familiar examples include the ‘traffic light’ approach now com- monly found within institutional policy. While well-intentioned, these approaches share a common limitation: They focus primarily on commu- nicating rules rather than redesigning assessment mechanics. To clarify why such approaches fail, and to guide more effective responses, this paper introduces a novel conceptual distinction between discursive changes to assessment (modifications relying solely on instructions stu- dents remain free to ignore) and structural changes (modifications that reshape the underlying mechanics of assessment tasks themselves). Through a critical analysis of prominent frameworks, we demonstrate that current approaches predominantly rely on discursive changes that create what we term an ‘enforcement illusion’. We find that educational frameworks frequently borrow the language of socially familiar structural systems (like vehicular traffic lights) while lacking their actual enforce- ment capabilities, creating an illusion of assessment security. In place of this, we argue for a shift towards structural assessment redesign that builds validity into assessment architecture rather than attempting to impose it through unenforceable rules. .
Notes
.
Annotations%% begin annotations %%
%% end annotations %%i
%% Import Date: 2026-04-13T15:39:32.756-04:00 %%