How BISS uses AI to transform learning
At BISS, we’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance learning, streamline workflows, and make education more impactful for students and teachers alike. One of the most exciting innovations we’ve embraced is the use of AI in writing assessment. This approach is not just about efficiency—it’s about fundamentally improving the way we evaluate and develop student writing skills.
The Challenge of Writing Assessment
Assessing student writing is one of the most time-intensive tasks for educators. Traditional marking involves lengthy checklists of criteria—grammar, structure, style, coherence, creativity, and more. Teachers often spend 20-30 minutes grading a single piece of work, which adds up to hours upon hours of marking for just one class. By the time feedback reaches students, the opportunity for immediate learning may have passed.
Moreover, traditional grading is susceptible to cognitive biases. A teacher might unconsciously favour a student’s work based on past performance, leading to inconsistencies in assessment. Ensuring reliability and fairness is a constant struggle.
Enter Comparative Judgment and AI
To address these challenges, BISS has implemented an AI-driven comparative judgment system for writing assessment. Instead of marking each piece of writing against a rigid rubric, teachers compare two pieces at a time and select the stronger one. An AI algorithm then compiles these judgments to rank all submissions.
This method has several advantages:
More Reliable Assessments – Teachers make holistic judgments rather than ticking off a list of criteria, leading to more consistent and fair evaluations.
Faster Marking Process – What once took hours can now be completed in about 15 minutes per class.
Immediate and Actionable Feedback – Instead of spending time marking, teachers can analyse trends, identify common strengths and weaknesses, and plan lessons accordingly.
A Case Study: How AI is Changing Writing Instruction
At BISS, we run two writing assessment windows per year—one internal and one international. The international assessment allows us to compare student writing with schools worldwide, offering a broader perspective on performance and progress.
One significant insight from this process has been the role of handwriting. When we compared our students’ work to other schools, it became clear that handwriting quality often influenced the perceived strength of a piece. Recognising this, we have since emphasised handwriting as a foundational skill, contributing to a noticeable improvement in writing outcomes.
What’s Next? AI-Powered Feedback
The latest innovation we’re excited about is AI-generated feedback. With a new voice annotation feature, teachers can verbally highlight key aspects of each piece of writing. The AI then compiles these comments into a summary report, pinpointing strengths and areas for improvement across the entire cohort. This feature, which only adds about five minutes to the process, could save even more hours in the long run while highlighting new areas of focus for our learning process.
Why This Matters
This AI-driven approach to assessment represents a textbook example of how technology can enhance education. Instead of replacing teachers, AI frees them from administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—helping students become better writers.
At BISS, we do a lot of incredible things—but we don’t always talk about them enough. This is one initiative we’re excited to share, and we hope it sparks conversations about how AI can positively impact learning. If you have thoughts or experiences with AI in education, let’s talk!
