Course | Designing Authentic Assessment in the Age of AI

What You'll Learn

• How to use GenAI tools to support grading and feedback
• The implications, suitability and limitations of using GenAI to support grading and feedback
• How to evaluate the effective integration of AI tools into the feedback process
• How to create guidelines for responsible use of GenAI in assessment

This course aims to build upon a fundamental understanding of generative AI to focus on how it can support, enhance and deliver authentic assessment. Despite the challenges, can we use AI to help us make the assessment process more efficient and effective for educators and students alike? This course aims to answer these questions. Learners will be introduced to implications and challenges of using generative AI in assessment and learn tips and techniques for building authentic assessment using AI.

Course Outline

The course is divided into four modules you'll work your way through over the learning period. Each module includes specific learning objectives, educational content across a range of media, activities to apply what you've learnt, plus a 'temperature check' survey to make sure you're getting what you need as a learner.

Module 1: Opportunities & challenges of AI in assessment
Discuss the wider implications of generative AI in assessment design and analyse how it impacts teaching practice.

Module 2: Developing assessments with AI
Learn how to draft assessment items using AI to align with learning outcomes and corresponding rubrics for measuring success. Build practical tools you can use to check for cultural relevance, context-appropriateness and inclusivity.

Module 3: Helping students navigate AI use in assessments
Explore how you as a teacher can assist students to select and apply appropriate AI tools to complete assessments.

Module 4: Using AI to support grading and feedback
Understand and critically evaluate the ethical, legal, and practical implications of using GenAI in assessment and propose guidelines for responsible use within your teaching context.

Assessments
To complete this course, you need to have attempted all activities and quizzes, as well as the final reflection activity.

Prices

Original price: NZ$821(including GST where applicable).

The price listed is for the international learners. An additional pricing option is available for this course at NZ$395 (including GST where applicable) for domestic learners (NZ).

For further information, please visit University of Canterbury website.

Availability

27 April 2026
1 June 2026
13 July 2026
17 August 2026

For the best learning experience, we recommend 5 hours of study per week over 4 weeks. Learning must be completed within 2 months.

Duration: 20 hours.

Facilitators

1. Dr David Parsons
Research Director, academyEX, and Adjunct Professor, University of Canterbury
Dr David Parsons has broad international experience in academia and the software industry. He holds a PhD in Information Technology and has research interests in the role of AI and digital technologies in education, agile and lean thinking, curriculum design, and contemporary software development.

He has produced over 200 publications, including several technology-focused books, and has developed and delivered micro-credentials in digital skills for the workplace and software development processes and tools.

2. Dr Kathryn MacCallum
Associate Professor, Digital Education Futures, University of Canterbury, School of Leadership and Professional Practice in Education
Kathryn MacCallum is an Associate Professor of Digital Education Futures and head of the University of Canterbury’s School of Leadership and Professional Practice in Education.

She’s established a strong research background that focuses on integrating digital tools into a tertiary curriculum.

She’s led and been involved in several research projects that explore the role of technology (and more recently AR and VR) to support learners.

Overview

Generative artificial Intelligence (GenAI) offers educators powerful tools to streamline grading, support feedback and formative assessment, and design more effective assessment tasks. This course will help you keep pace with this fast-developing technology in your teaching practice.

In this short course, you’ll discover how to make the most of generative AI to create smarter, more efficient assessment strategies. Learn how generative AI can help you as a teacher to create meaningful assessments, streamline grading processes, and provide tailored feedback that supports student growth — all while maintaining academic integrity and ethical teaching practices.

Through hands-on practice, you’ll gain experience with AI tools designed to simplify your workload and improve outcomes for your ākonga | students.

Build your confidence and skills to reshape the way you assess and engage with students using generative AI in just 20 hours.

This Course is Ideal for

• Secondary teachers
• Tertiary lecturers and educators
• Leaders in education

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this course – it is open to anyone who has confidence listening, reading, and writing in English.

This course is designed for teachers, educators and academics – if you're not a teacher, please contact the University of Canterbury to check if this course is right for you.

Technology Requirements
- The organizer recommends a laptop or desktop computer and a reliable internet connection.
- A PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC) to download PDFs with assessment instructions.
- Word processing software (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs) to complete your assignments.

Course Fees
Course fees must be paid before learning can begin, either via online credit-card payment, or by contacting the University of Canterbuty to request an invoice. Please note: fixed invoice payment dates apply, so it is recommended getting in touch with them as soon as possible to request an invoice, as this option is subject to availability.

Group Discounts
Get your colleagues together to take advantage of the group discounts:
10% for 3 - 6 learners
15% for 7+ learners

Withdrawals and Refunds
Once learning begins, you are eligible for a withdrawal with refund up until the end of day 3. After this date, refunds may be available if your circumstances are exceptional, for example if you've experienced a serious medical event.