In this episode of Teach & Learn, host Dr. Cristi Ford is joined by Dr. Phillip Dawson from Deakin University to explore a question many higher education educators are grappling with: how do we assess learning in an AI-shaped world?

Rather than offering a quick fix, Dr. Dawson reframes AI and assessment as a “wicked problem”—one without a single solution, clear endpoint or shared definition. For faculty and academic leaders, that means moving beyond AI detection tools and “AI-proof” assignments toward more thoughtful, adaptable approaches to assessment design.

Together, they explore:

Why AI challenges traditional assumptions about academic integrity and student capability
The tension between preparing students for an AI-enabled workforce and ensuring authentic learning
What structural changes to assessment look like in practice, including interactive and reflective approaches
Why program-level collaboration—not individual effort—is key in higher education
How feedback literacy is becoming essential for both students and educators

As Dr. Dawson puts it, “there is no fix”—only ongoing decisions about trade-offs, context and what’s “good enough” for now.

Resources Discussed in the Episode:

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