From Detection to Design: Student-Partnered AI-Transparent Assessment in Social Work

About this initiative

This project aims to develop and pilot assessment approaches within the PMSW where the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is explicit, transparent, and educationally beneficial.

The project will produce a number of key deliverables, with a primary focus on a digital toolkit for AI-transparent assessment. This toolkit will provide practical guidance for staff and will include:

• clear principles for designing AI-transparent assessment
• examples of assessment approaches developed through the project
• guidance on integrating AI into assessment in ways that support learning
• insights from student and practice teacher perspectives
• examples of student work demonstrating different approaches

The toolkit will be co-produced by students and academic staff, with students contributing to the synthesis of findings, drafting of content, and development of practical guidance. It is designed to be transferable across disciplines and to support ongoing innovation in assessment at UCD.

Additional deliverables will include:

• a structured evidence base developed through student-led literature review
• findings from focus groups with students and practice teachers
• co-designed and pilot-tested assessment approaches
• student-authored outputs developed through writing workshops, with potential for publication

For students, the project will provide opportunities to develop:

• research skills (literature review, data analysis, interpretation)
• academic writing and publication skills
• critical and ethical engagement with AI
• collaboration and applied problem-solving skills

Students will also gain experience contributing to curriculum development and producing outputs with real institutional impact.