Where Innovation Meets Education
Picture a room buzzing with energy, where educators and students came together to shake up traditional assessment methods. That was the ATU Assessment Hackathon—a fast-paced, hands-on event that reimagined how we evaluate learning in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
From LEGO® to Learning Outcomes
Breaking the ice with LEGO® Serious Play, participants build models that represent their educational philosophies, setting the stage for deeper discussions. This creative exercise encouraged open communication and paved the way for practical, scalable assessment strategies.
The Hackathon Unpacked
At its core, the ATU Assessment Hackathon was a melting pot of ideas, bringing together diverse minds to tackle the challenges of modern education. Participants engaged in Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), a hands-on approach that encourages collaborative problem-solving. Armed with a toolkit that includes CBL game boards, creating learning outcomes cards, and an A to Z deck of assessment types, teams brainstorm and prototype innovative assessment solutions.
Why It Matters
In an era where traditional exams often fall short, the hackathon offered fresh perspectives and ideas. By exploring diverse assessment methods, educators found new ways to capture student learning and skills more effectively. The event not only sparked conversation and innovation but also built a community dedicated to enhancing education.
The Big Ideas That Emerged
One of the most exciting outcomes of the hackathon was the Big Ideas publication—a collection of the innovative assessment concepts generated during the event categorised under Education Principles, Guiding Principles, Assessment Method and Lesson Plan. This publication showcases fresh approaches to evaluating learning, providing educators with inspiration and actionable strategies for the future. It stands as a testament to the creativity and collaboration that made the hackathon such a success.
In this special publication, we will share a collection of assessment briefs derived from a one-day assessment hackathon in Atlantic Technological University (ATU), where 100+ colleagues and student leaders undertook a challenge-based learning experience, to hack a big idea on tackling assessment in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Source: https://issuu.com/atlantictechnologicaluniversity/docs/atu_assessment_hackathon_flipbook |
Image 1: Big Ideas
Join the Movement
The ATU Assessment Hackathon proved that when creative minds collaborate, real change happens. Whether you were an educator seeking fresh strategies or a student eager to contribute, the event showcased the power of collective innovation. The future of assessment may still be evolving, but one thing is certain—this was just the beginning.
For full detail on the hackathon see: ATU Assessment Hackathon Overview
The Challenge Learning Framework includes three interconnected phases: Engage, Investigate and Act. Each phase includes activities that prepare you to move to the next phase. There are opportunities within each phase for mini-exploration cycles and, if necessary, a return to an earlier phase. Supporting the entire process is an ongoing process of documentation, reflection and sharing. Source: https://www.challengebasedlearning.org/framework/ |
Image 2: Challenge Based Learning
Declaration: This blog was written with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model, to refine ideas and enhance readability.
