Summary of Faculty Discussion on Student Assessment in Light of Modern Technologies

Introduction 
In a lively and open discussion on the WhatsApp platform of the Islamic University of Minnesota, faculty members exchanged views on the challenges of assessing students in a remote learning system, especially with the increasing reliance on modern technologies and artificial intelligence. The aim of the discussion was to develop the educational process and ensure its quality. This report summarizes the key points that were discussed. 
Topic 1: Authority to Modify Grades and the Current System 
- Main Proposal: Dr. Youssef Bani Younes suggested that the authority to modify final exam grades should be the sole right of the course instructor, rather than the administration, to enable rewarding hardworking students who may not have lucked out on the exam. 
- Supporting Views: Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Zahrani supported the idea, emphasizing the need to consider individual differences among students. Dr. Sahar Al-Samadi added that merely adjusting "assignment" grades is not sufficient to evaluate an outstanding student. 
- Opposing Views: Dr. Ali Awda opposed the proposal, citing it as an additional burden on instructors, especially in courses with large enrollments. Dr. Mona Al-Laboudi believed that the current system is precise and fair, as the instructor prepares the exam and sends the answers to the administration, which executes what is requested accurately. 
- Current Administrative Solution: Ms. Maha Mohammed (Director of Administrative Affairs) clarified that the current procedure involves sending the answer files to the instructor for review and necessary modifications before final grading, which Dr. Yasser Al-Malik considered a compromise that accommodates different views. 
Topic 2: The Challenge of Cheating and Reliance on Artificial Intelligence 
Critique of the Testing System: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Ajlouni criticized the effectiveness of current exams, stating that their lengthy duration opens the door to cheating using available resources or artificial intelligence, thus losing the ability to measure actual performance. 
Issue of Artificial Intelligence: Dr. Salah Farraj acknowledged that students' use of artificial intelligence is an undeniable reality. 
Proposed Solutions to Combat Cheating: 
1. Open Book Exams: Dr. Afaf Al-Haddad proposed designing exams that assess understanding and analysis rather than memorization, a system that has proven successful in other universities. 
2.  Interviews and Projects: Dr. Mohammed Abbas viewed direct interviews and quality projects as the solution, admitting the difficulty of implementing them with large numbers. 
Diversifying Assessment Tools: Dr. Mousa Al-Daw called for diversifying assessment tools to include short tests, oral discussions, and presentations. 
3. Plagiarism Detection Programs: Dr. Marwan Al-Abbas recommended using electronic programs like "Turnitin" to detect unauthorized citations in research and assignments. 
Topic 3: Assessing Student Participation and Fairness 
Importance of Participation: Questions were raised about how to ensure fairness between the active student and the one who relies on cheating. Dr. Majid Bin Obaid asserted that this situation undermines the rights of diligent students. 
Proposal for Participation Assessment: Dr. Thawqan Obaidat suggested allocating 10 points for attendance (recorded by administration) and 10 points for effective participation (recorded by the instructor) to distinguish active students. 
Challenges in Measuring Participation: Dr. Obaidat pointed out that the short lecture time does not allow for adequate monitoring of written contributions on the chat. 
Nature of Students: Dr. Shaimaa Khattab clarified that some students are bold enough to participate verbally, while others prefer written participation due to shyness or other circumstances, emphasizing the need for instructors to consider both types. 
Topic 4: The Debate Between Academic Flexibility and Administrative Commitment 
Official Position: Dr. Nourhan Salama (Dean of Faculty Affairs) emphasized the need to adhere to the current system established in the new electronic portal, noting that proposals are under review. 
Academic Perspective: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Ajlouni responded that the issue at hand is "educational" rather than "administrative," and that any human system is subject to improvement. He stressed that such initiatives from faculty should be encouraged and studied carefully. 
Adapting to Challenges: Dr. Majid Bin Obaid added that the discussion does not target the new system itself but aims to develop assessment methods to keep pace with the challenges posed by modern technologies, affirming that the educational process is interactive and requires continuous development. 
Conclusion and Recommendations 
The discussion concluded with a call from Dr. Ibrahim Al-Ajlouni to organize an extensive discussion seminar on the topic with the participation of specialists, to come up with practical recommendations for implementation. This dialogue reflects the university's vitality and its continuous pursuit of excellence by providing a free space for thought and ongoing development.