KNUST College of Health Sciences Embraces Artificial Intelligence for Examination Question Setting
The College of Health Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has taken a groundbreaking step in integrating technology into academia by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist in the setting of examination questions. This initiative is part of the university's broader effort to modernize educational practices and improve assessment quality.
The move comes in response to increasing demands for more efficient, accurate, and fair evaluation systems. Faculty members of the College of Health Sciences have started leveraging advanced AI tools to generate, review, and analyze examination questions for courses across its various departments, including Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy.
The AI software is designed to complement lecturers' efforts by generating diverse question formats, including multiple-choice, essay, and practical scenarios, based on predefined syllabi and learning objectives. The system draws from a vast database of medical and scientific literature to ensure questions are evidence-based and relevant to current practices.
Faculty members input key topics and specific guidelines, and the AI generates a range of questions. Lecturers then review and fine-tune the outputs to ensure alignment with the curriculum and the cognitive levels expected of students. This collaborative process not only saves time but also enhances the overall quality of assessments.
The training of various Professors and Doctors at the College of Health Sciences, KNUST on how to use the AI software to set examination questions was held over two days, on the 20th and 21st of November 2024.
Prof Christian Agyare, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, explained, “The AI system provides a broad spectrum of question ideas, which we refine to match our teaching objectives. It has significantly reduced the time spent on manual question setting while maintaining high standards.”
The integration of AI into the examination question setting at the KNUST College of Health Sciences marks a significant milestone in the fusion of technology and education. As the university continues to innovate, it sets a precedent for other institutions across Africa to harness AI’s potential in shaping the future of learning and assessment.
