On 17 July, a vibrant community of educators gathered online for an inspiring HERDSA Assessment Quality Special Interest Group (SIG) webinar: "Storytelling Assessments in an AI-Powered World." Convened by Pranit Anand from UNSW, the event drew almost 60 passionate participants from Australia and around the globe, all united by their curiosity about the potential of storytelling to transform student learning.

Carl Sherwood (University of Queensland) kicked off the conversation with an engaging narrative, sharing personal anecdotes and innovative examples of how students’ own stories bring complex academic concepts vividly to life. From statistics classes where students explained normal distribution through creative scenarios to microeconomics tutorials employing storytelling to deepen conceptual understanding, Carl illuminated how authentic stories enrich student learning and can even enhance academic integrity in the era of AI.

Next, Pranit Anand captivated participants by sharing his experiences integrating digital storytelling into cybersecurity management courses at UNSW. Showcasing dynamic student-created videos filled with creativity and insight, Pranit demonstrated vividly how storytelling transforms traditional assessments, deeply engaging both learners and educators and turning standard classroom activities into memorable learning adventures.

Karen Ho (Mount Royal University, Canada) then drew participants further into the narrative by sharing her compelling research from chemistry labs, revealing how storytelling significantly enhanced student inclusivity and academic confidence. Karen’s vibrant examples and detailed findings showcased how stories not only humanise STEM education but also build meaningful connections among students, bridging gaps and fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

The interactive discussion that followed was lively and insightful, diving deeply into the creation of effective storytelling rubrics, strategies for maintaining academic integrity amidst rapid advancements in AI, and practical advice on incorporating storytelling in diverse classroom settings.

The session concluded with heartfelt appreciation for Pranit Anand’s exceptional leadership of the SIG and a warm welcome to the incoming convenors Thomas Wanner (University of Adelaide), Diana Saragi Turnip and Priya Khanna Pathak (UNSW).

We warmly invite you to join our next HERDSA Assessment Quality SIG gathering on 15 August to continue this captivating journey into innovative assessment practices.

Connect with us on the HERDSA website or join our community today to become part of this inspiring educational journey!

You can watch the full webinar at https://youtu.be/IPOFcmGTvhk