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Researchers Find Little Evidence of Cheating with Online, Unsupervised Exams

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Credit: Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University.
Students work on laptops above “Gene Pool,” a tile mosaic by Andrew Leicester inside the Molecular Biology Building at Iowa State University.
« Researchers Find Little Evidence of Cheating with Online, Unsupervised Exams

Newswise — AMES, IA — When Iowa State University switched from in-person to remote learning halfway through the spring semester of 2020, psychology professor Jason Chan was worried. Would unsupervised, online exams unleash rampant cheating?

His initial reaction flipped to surprise as test results rolled in. Individual student scores were slightly higher but consistent with their results from in-person, proctored exams. Those receiving B’s before the COVID-19 lockdown were still pulling in B’s when the tests were online and unsupervised. This pattern held true for students up and down the grading scale.

“The fact that the student rankings stayed mostly the same regardless of whether they were taking in-person or online exams indicated that cheating was either not prevalent or that it was ineffective at significantly boosting scores,” says Chan.

To know if this was happening at a broader level, Chan and Dahwi Ahn, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, analyzed test score data from nearly 2,000 students across 18 classes during the spring 2020 semester. Their sample ranged from large, lecture-style courses with high enrollment, like introduction to statistics, to advanced courses in engineering and veterinary medicine.

Across different academic disciplines, class sizes, course levels and test styles (i.e., predominantly multiple choice or short answer), the researchers found the same results. Unsupervised, online exams produced scores very similar to in-person, proctored exams, indicating they can provide a valid and reliable assessment of student learning.

The research findings were recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“Before conducting this research, I had doubts about online and unproctored exams, and I was quite hesitant to use them if there was an option to have them in-person. But after seeing the data, I feel more confident and hope other instructors will, as well,” says Ahn.

Both researchers say they’ve continued to give exams online, even for in-person classes. Chan says this format provides more flexibility for students who have part-time jobs or travel for sports and extra-curriculars. It also expands options for teaching remote classes. Ahn led her first  online course over the summer.

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Why might cheating have had a minimal effect on test scores?

The researchers say students more likely to cheat might be underperforming in the class and anxious about failing. Perhaps they’ve skipped lectures, fallen behind with studying or feel uncomfortable asking for help. Even with the option of searching Google during an unmonitored exam, students may struggle to find the correct answer if they don’t understand the content. In their paper, the researchers point to evidence from previous studies comparing test scores from open-book and close-book exams.

Another factor that may deter cheating is academic integrity or a sense of fairness, something many students value, says Chan. Those who have studied hard and take pride in their grades may be more inclined to protect their exam answers from students they view as freeloaders.

Still, the researchers say instructors should be aware of potential weak spots with unsupervised, online exams. For example, some platforms have the option of showing students the correct answer immediately after they select a multiple-choice option. This makes it much easier for students to share answers in a group text.

To counter this and other forms of cheating, instructors can:

  • Wait to release exam answers until the test window closes.
  • Use larger, randomized question banks.
  • Add more options in multiple-choice questions and making the right choice less obvious.
  • Adjust grade cutoffs.

COVID-19 and ChatGPT

Chan and Ahn say the spring 2020 semester provided a unique opportunity to research the validity of online exams for student evaluations. However, there were some limitations. For example, it wasn’t clear what role stress and other COVID-19-related impacts may have played on students, faculty and teaching assistants. Perhaps instructors were more lenient with grading or gave longer windows of time to complete exams.

The researchers said another limitation was not knowing if the 18 classes in the sample normally get easier or harder as the semester progresses. In an ideal experiment, half of the students would have taken online exams for the first half of the semester and in-person exams for the second half.

They attempted to account for these two concerns by looking at older test score data from a subset of the 18 classes during semesters when they were fully in-person. The researchers found the distribution of grades in each class was consistent with the spring 2020 semester and concluded that the materials covered in the first and second halves of the semester did not differ in their difficulty.

At the time of data collection for this study, ChatGPT wasn’t available to students. But the researchers acknowledge AI writing tools are a gamechanger in education and could make it much harder for instructors to evaluate their students. Understanding how instructors should approach online exams with the advent of ChatGPT is something Ahn intends to research.

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The study was supported by a National Science Foundation Science of Learning and Augmented Intelligence Grant.

Journal Link: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Source: Iowa State University

Artificial Intelligence

AI Marketing Strategies On Generic AI Platforms Set To Hinder Success

Businesses overusing AI will find themselves disadvantaged when developing marketing strategies and marketing programs in 2024 says Robotic Marketer founder.

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES /EINPresswire.com/ — As the business world stands on the precipice of 2024, marketing industry expert, Mellissah Smith, forecasts a seismic shift in the competitive landscape due to the overuse and misuse of generic AI in marketing.

The pivotal new year, marked by the emergence of a stark competitive gap caused by a one-size-fits-all approach provided by many AI platforms, heralds a call to action for businesses worldwide that are being led by over-use of AI for content and strategy without bespoke data analysis and benchmarking.


AI is a productivity tool. It’s a tool to do fast analysis. Without using AI tools that integrate with your tech stack, it is a one-size-fits all, and something not to be relied upon.”
— Mellissah Smith


“In the race to embrace AI, the market is inadvertently veering towards a divide that will separate the leaders from the laggards,” says Mellissah Smith, the founder behind Robotic Marketer, a world-first AI powered marketing strategy technology platform. “2024 will witness the dawn of an AI divide where businesses that recognize and act upon the need for personalized, data driven AI strategies will gain a distinct competitive edge. Those continuing down the path of generic AI solutions will find themselves outpaced and outmanoeuvred by companies that are using their available data and content personalization to connect with customers. This isn’t just a minor shift; it’s a critical juncture that will significantly impact the competitive landscape in 2024 and the years that follow.”


AI Marketing Strategy Company Founder, Mellissah Smith from Robotic Marketer

Mellissah Smith, with her three decades of marketing experience, states, “2024 isn’t just another year; it’s 12-months since Open AI’s ChatGPT changed the way everyday people thought about AI and only 6 months since many companies have realized that they can’t afford not to get on the bandwagon of AI. However, the overuse of generic AI has reached its zenith, and this has been largely due to people not knowing how AI is developed and how it will best suit their company needs. AI is now intricately woven into the fabric of each business’s unique narrative, so it’s time to create some maturity in its use.”

Smith addresses the critical shortfall in current AI applications: “The market is inundated with tools that offer a one-dimensional view, leading to strategies that are as broad as they are bland. Our commitment at Robotic Marketer is to transcend this norm and as a company that has been in the market since 2017, we have been able to create the labyrinth of machine learning. We’re introducing an AI that doesn’t just analyze but understands, interprets, and develops strategies with a level of precision and personalization previously unimagined.”

Robotic Marketer’s innovation sets a new precedent in both the marketing and consulting industries. “We’re not just creating another marketing tool; we’re creating a AI platform that becomes the heart of your marketing strategy. It’s about developing a dynamic, intuitive understanding of your business goals, market nuances and customer dynamics,” Smith states.

As businesses prepare to navigate the complexities of 2024, Smith underscores the imperative for a strategic renaissance. “The future is not about broad strokes but about the detail and depth that creates relevance.”

“The economy will dictate how many businesses navigate 2024, which requires for those companies most effected by a downturn to automate tasks where possible. Scaling marketing efforts is possible with AI, particularly if you have the right marketing strategy in place, but must come with personalization.”

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About Robotic Marketer:
Founded by the visionary and “Innovator of the Year” recipient, Mellissah Smith, Robotic Marketer is at the vanguard of the next generation of AI-driven marketing strategy development. Committed to innovation, personalization, and strategic acumen, Robotic Marketer is empowering businesses worldwide to navigate the future of marketing with unparalleled precision and insight. Working with brands such as SAP, Oracle, Mitel and Atlassian through channel programs, and 1000’s of companies globally, the company has firmly established its position as the leading AI marketing strategy tool that develops, manages, executes and reports on marketing strategy performance. The platform integrates with social media, Google, competitor insights, GPT-4, and popular email marketing, CRM, marketing automation and advertising tools. The company is expanding globally through marketing agencies using the platform as a productivity tool with inbuilt benchmarking and industry best practice. www.roboticmarketer.com



Contact:
Mellissah Smith
Robotic Marketer
info@roboticmarketer.com
www.roboticmarketer.com


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AI marketing strategy technology platform Robotic Marketer

Source: Robotic Marketer

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Artificial Intelligence

Vymo’s ‘Rise of AI’ report highlights the the role of AI in transforming Insurance Distribution in 2023

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SINGAPORE /PRNewswire/ — Vymo, the Sales Engagement Platform of choice for global financial enterprises, has unveiled its latest report, ‘Rise of AI in 2023.’ This report summarizes the transformative impact of AI on the insurance industry, providing a profound understanding of how AI tools are reshaping the landscape.


Vymo’s ‘Rise of AI report highlights the the role of AI in transforming Insurance Distribution in 2023

The report, compiled after extensive conversations with insurance firms and financial services leaders, highlights the areas that are being disrupted through AI applications and the vast potential AI brings into Insurance distribution. For example, agent attrition is a significant challenge and AI may just have the key to understanding and preventing agent churn and hiring the right talent.

The report delves into the different areas AI will impact and strengthen insurance distribution in the years to come.

Speaking about this, Venkat Malladi, Co-Founder and CTO, Vymo, said, “AI has made an extensive and positive impact on almost every function of an insurance organization. From product development to claims processing, AI eliminates biases, improves transparency, and ensures precise risk assessment. This trend of AI transformation is only going to gain greater traction, and its footprint is going to be much bigger in the entire insurance industry landscape.”

The report’s focus on AI and insurance elucidates how AI tools contribute to insurance sales, distribution, and recruitment.

Further, Venkat MalladiCo-Founder and CTO, Vymo said, “The importance of user-friendly AI tools without extensive training requirements cannot be overstated. AI has become an integral part of several insurance processes, and it will be interesting to see how its influence grows.”

The report is engaging, insightful and provides key learnings on how insurance organizations should chart out their AI roadmap and the guardrails that they will need to put into place.

A relevant read for anyone who is interested in the growth of AI and the role it will play in building insurance organizations of the future.

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The report goes through AI’s unique applications in Insurance Sales and Distribution, offering insights into how AI can personalize services, streamline recruitment, and optimize lead allocation processes. It emphasizes the imperative for insurers to adapt to AI to enhance decision-making, improve customer experiences, and drive growth.

The report can be accessed for free at https://www.vymo.com/riseofai2023

About Vymo

Vymo (www.vymo.com) is the Sales Engagement Platform of choice for 350,000 salespeople across 65+ Global Financial Institutions such as AIA, Berkshire Hathaway, Generali, AXA, Sunlife, and HDFC Bank. The platform drives productivity bottom-up through nudges and interventions across the customer lifecycle.

Gartner recognizes Vymo as a Representative Vendor in the Sales Engagement Market Guide.

Vymo has raised over $45M in funding from Sequoia Capital, Emergence Capital, and Bertelsmann India Investments and is also a winner of CB Insights’ Demo Day and Microsoft’s ‘AI for All’ awards.

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Download Rise of AI 2023: https://www.vymo.com/riseofai2023

Watch Vymo in Action: https://youtu.be/x-kxnDUAI84?si=-CGimxTiml0Hm3qS

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Artificial Intelligence

McDonald’s and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Connect Latest Cloud Technology and Apply Generative AI Solutions Across its Restaurants Worldwide

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CHICAGO and SUNNYVALE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — McDonald’s Corporation and Google today announced plans for a new multi-year, global partnership to connect Google Cloud technology across thousands of its restaurants worldwide. This partnership is a significant step for McDonald’s in advancing its restaurant technology platform to become the most sophisticated and productive in the industry. McDonald’s plans to leverage a wide range of Google Cloud’s hardware, data, and AI technologies to implement innovation faster and create even better experiences for its customers, restaurant teams, and employees.  

“We see tremendous opportunity for growth in our digital business and our partnership with Google Cloud allows us to capitalize on this by leveraging our size and scale to build capabilities and implement solutions at unmatched speeds,” said Brian Rice, McDonald’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer. “Connecting our restaurants worldwide to millions of datapoints across our digital ecosystem means tools get sharper, models get smarter, restaurants become easier to operate, and most importantly, the overall experience for our customers and crew gets even better.” 

As part of this partnership, McDonald’s will roll out significant advancements to its restaurant and customer platforms – from its popular mobile app that serves as the gateway for its 150 million member-strong and quickly expanding loyalty program, to its thousands of self-service kiosks in restaurants worldwide. With a consistent approach, McDonald’s expects to deploy innovations with much greater speed and agility. McDonald’s will use edge computing from Google Cloud to power these new platforms, bringing information storage and high powered computing into individual restaurants. 

Google Distributed Cloud, a combined hardware and software offering, is planned to be deployed to thousands of McDonald’s restaurants so they can leverage both cloud-based software applications and their own software and AI solutions locally on-site, as needed. With Google Cloud edge computing capabilities, McDonald’s will be able to draw new insights into how equipment is performing, enact solutions that reduce business disruptions, and diminish complexity for crew so restaurant teams can focus on delivering amazing hospitality to customers. McDonald’s will be the largest global foodservice retailer to use Google Distributed Cloud’s new capabilities, with plans for thousands of restaurants to begin receiving their hardware and software upgrades next year.  

Through this new partnership, a dedicated Google Cloud team in Chicago will work in close proximity to McDonald’s global innovation center, known as Speedee Labs. Together, they’ll focus on applying generative AI across a number of key business priorities to power exciting new experiences for crew and customers, with McDonald’s unmatched convenience and value.  

“Through this wide-ranging partnership, Google Cloud will help McDonald’s seize on new opportunities to transform its business and customer experiences, empowering restaurants worldwide with the latest technologies for near-term impact,” said Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud’s Chief Executive Officer. “Pairing the iconic brand, size and scale of McDonald’s with Google Cloud’s deep history in AI and technology innovation will redefine how this industry works and what people expect when they dine out.” 

About Google Cloud 
Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems. 

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About McDonald’s 
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

SOURCE Google Cloud

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