Essay-Type Answer Writing Workshop

Essay-Type Answer Writing Workshop/ Error Analysis and Al Enabled Self-Assessment 

On August 8, 2023, the Department of English at MKBU organized an Essay-Type Answer Writing Workshop. This annual workshop, scheduled after internal exams and before University exams, allows students to identify their mistakes and learn the correct way of constructing answers.

The examination day is a moment when students endeavor to reflect on and apply the learning outcomes of their semester-long learning. However, condensing the understanding of certain subjects into a mere two and a half hours is a formidable challenge. The primary objective is to articulate our comprehension by precisely presenting all the necessary points. Barad often remarked that students tend to "vomit" information, implying that they often study with a focus on exams rather than genuinely understanding and analyzing the topics. Consequently, scrutinizing our own "vomit" is a daunting and disheartening task. There is a prevailing mentality that whatever has passed is gone, be it the exam paper or anything else, and there is no need to analyze our own writings.

Nevertheless, the atmosphere within our English Department distinguishes itself from others. Following each internal examination, a workshop is meticulously organized. During these sessions, instructors shed light on the mistakes students commonly make, such as grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, issues with sentence structure, improper capitalization, and incomplete answers. Furthermore, they generously provide us with tips and tricks on how to excel in university exams. Their guidance extends to making our answer books more appealing and eye-catching, thereby enhancing the overall quality of our responses. This unique approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and self-reflection among the students, setting the English Department apart in its commitment to academic excellence. 

This time, the workshop adopted a hybrid format, incorporating both in-person and virtual elements. The sessions were live-streamed on YouTube to ensure that students who had left Bhavnagar and returned to their native places during the reading days before the exams could still actively participate. This innovative approach aimed to prevent them from missing out on the valuable insights shared during the workshop. Additionally, the virtual format allowed students to pose queries and actively engage with the content, fostering an inclusive and interactive learning environment. This adaptation to a hybrid mode exemplifies the department's commitment to accommodating diverse student needs and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical location, can benefit from the workshop's educational content.

Here I have attached the video:

This workshop was structured into two distinct parts. In the initial segment, Sir, Vaidehi ma’am, and Megha ma’am enlightened us about common mistakes and imparted valuable tips and tricks to enhance our scores and elevate the quality of our answers. The workshop kicked off with Vaidehi ma’am's session, where she shared her observations from assessing our answer sheets and provided insightful tips and tricks.

During the error analysis segment, she incorporated samples of errors frequently made by students in their written responses. The first highlighted issue was spelling errors and capitalization mistakes. Often, these errors occur unconsciously or due to a lack of attention. In any form of writing, such mistakes can detract from the overall quality, making the writing appear dull. The second point addressed handwriting and confusion. Illegible handwriting, especially with similar-looking letters like a, e, i, o, u, r, and s, can lead to confusion, making it challenging to discern which letter the student intended to use. Vaidehi ma’am emphasized the importance of improving handwriting to eliminate such confusion. 

The third point involved leaving blank spaces without reason, and the fifth point discussed incomplete answers. Students may intend to complete an answer but, due to time constraints, find it challenging to do so. In some cases, incomplete answers may result from a lack of knowledge on the topic. Vaidehi ma’am highlighted these issues to encourage students to be mindful of these common pitfalls and offered guidance on how to address them effectively.

Following a thorough error analysis, she provided us with some tips and tricks:

1. Divide time according to each question.

2. Attempt all the questions to score high.

3. Use original quotes from the text or poem.

4. Include critics' points of view with their names.

5. Use infographics to enhance the attractiveness and eye-catching nature of the answer, developing the entire idea through the use of infographics.

Towards the end of her session, she shared tips for improving English writing skills, consisting of 8 steps:

1. Read wisely.

2. Keep an English dictionary close to you.

3. Review your punctuation.

4. Check your spellings when composing.

5. Maintain a diary in English.

6. Learn how to organize a paragraph.

7. Compose a layout.

8. Attempt to get somebody to pursue what you have composed.

The final step involves her analyzing our mistakes and providing feedback to help us understand and improve.

Megha ma’am also imparted her insights gained from assessing our answer sheets. Her emphasis was on treating our answers as a form of academic writing, highlighting the indispensability of formal language, proper vocabulary, and correct sentence structure to achieve excellence. She further emphasized the significance of incorporating quotes from the original text, poems, statements, and critics' points of view.

Megha ma’am stressed the importance of structuring our answers effectively. Each response should encompass an introduction, main content comprising main points, sub-points, key points, and a conclusive section. Additionally, she advised against unnecessary repetition in our answers. Another crucial point she made was that responses should be written in the third person point of view, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an objective and scholarly tone in academic writing.

All these points, as elucidated by Megha ma’am, are pivotal for mastering the art of academic writing. They contribute to the overall quality and effectiveness of the answers provided during examinations.

Then, Sir also shared his valuable remarks. In the past, before the advent of certain AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, Claude, etc., on the day of the workshop, students would select one of their best answers from any answer book and analyze that response according to the rubric provided by Sir. They had to self-grade on a scale from 1 to 5. This approach was excellent as it allowed students to assess their own answers, recognize their strengths, and identify areas for improvement.

The rubric used for self-assessment included the following criteria:

1. Correctness of English Language

2. Content of the Answer

3. Organization of the Answer

4. Handwriting

Rubric for the assessment of answer books:

	1	2	3	4	Remark
Correctness of English Language	Simple grammar error. Simple spelling error. Vocab very poor. Un-English sentence structure. No punctuation marks.	Common grammar errors. Common spelling errors. General vocabulary. Un-English but understandable sentence structure. No punctuation marks, except full-stop.	A few grammatical errors. A few spelling-errors. Acceptable Vocabulary. Correct Sentence structure Punctuation marks but not apt.	No grammar errors. No spelling errors. Apt vocabulary. Apt sentence structure. Apt punctuation marks
Content of the Answer	No quotes from original text or from any critics. Only summaries, no illustrations.	No quotes from either critics or text. Illustrations instead of summaries	Quotes from the text and / or critics. Illustrations, though not very apt. No summary.	Quotes from original text. Quotes from critics. Apt illustrations from the text. No summary
Organisation of the Answer	The question is not justified. The answer has rarely anything to do with the question. No arguments. No illustrations. No connection between introduction and conclusion.	There is an attempt to justify question. There is an attempt to form trajectory of the answer. Very few illustrations. More of summary. Introduction or conclusion is good but not aptly synced with each other.	The question is properly justified but with less examples. The trajectory does not display logical though process. Lesser illustrations from the text. Introduction to conclusion – not aptly synced	The question is properly justified and exemplified. The trajectory of the answer is very well worked out. The arguments are well justified with illustrations from the text. Logical sequence is maintained. Introduction to conclusion – all well synced. Apt connectors used for the ease of flow of thoughts from one para to another.
Handwriting	Illegible. Difficulty in identifying ‘i’ ‘e’ , ‘o’, ‘a’, and similar looking alphabets.	Illegible. Lesser difficulty in identifying alphabets. Smaller. Non-cursive	Legible. No difficulty in identifying alphabets. Smaller, non-cursive.	Cursive, larger, clearly visible, clean and tidy.

This year, Sir implemented a distinct approach to this process. Initially, he introduced the research paper titled "The 2 Sigma Problem: The Search for Methods of Group Instruction as Effective as One-to-One Tutoring" by Benjamin J. Bloom. This paper explores the challenges presented by the 2 Sigma Problem and emphasizes the exploration of group instructional methods that can match the effectiveness of one-to-one tutoring.

Click here to read the article by Benjamin J. Bloom.

First let’s understand what is 1 to 1 tutoring method. This understanding is generated by ChatGPT:

"1 to 1 tutoring" refers to a teaching or learning method where one tutor works with one student individually. This personalized approach allows for focused attention on the specific needs and learning style of the student. Here are some key aspects of the 1 to 1 tutoring method:

1. Individualized Attention: In a one-to-one tutoring setting, the tutor can tailor the instruction to the unique needs and abilities of the student. This personalized attention can help address specific learning challenges, reinforce strengths, and adapt the teaching pace to match the student's understanding.

2. Customized Learning Plans: The tutor can create a customized learning plan based on the student's current level of understanding, goals, and areas that need improvement. This targeted approach helps maximize the effectiveness of the tutoring sessions.

3. Flexible Pace: One-to-one tutoring allows for a flexible pace of learning. The tutor can adjust the speed of instruction to match the student's comprehension, ensuring that they fully grasp one concept before moving on to the next. This helps prevent gaps in understanding.

4. Immediate Feedback: With only one student to focus on, tutors can provide immediate and specific feedback. This instant feedback is valuable for correcting mistakes, reinforcing correct understanding, and promoting a deeper understanding of the material.

5. Increased Student Engagement: Personalized attention often leads to increased student engagement. The student is more likely to actively participate, ask questions, and express their concerns in a one-to-one setting, fostering a positive and interactive learning environment.

6. Building a Relationship: The tutor and student have the opportunity to build a strong working relationship. This relationship can enhance communication, trust, and collaboration, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective.

7. Adaptability: Tutors can easily adapt their teaching methods based on the student's responses and preferences. If a particular approach isn't working, the tutor can quickly modify their strategy to better suit the student's learning style.

Overall, the 1 to 1 tutoring method is known for its effectiveness in providing targeted support, addressing individual learning needs, and fostering a positive and productive learning experience.

By integrating insights from this research, Sir introduced a new dimension to the self-assessment process through the 1-to-1 tutoring method.

In the traditional mode of teaching, achieving 1-to-1 tutoring was nearly impossible due to the need for one tutor for each student. However, with the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, Claude, this has become feasible. It represents a departure from conventional classroom settings, ushering in a new era of personalized learning and 1-to-1 tutoring.

Sir provided us with guidelines for one-to-one tutoring, utilizing ChatGPT as our tutor to assist in improving the quality of our answers according to CEFR guidelines. The instructions were outlined in a Google form, and the process involved two steps.

Firstly, we were required to provide a prompt to ChatGPT using the format given by Sir. This included presenting one or two paragraphs of our handwritten answer with the following structure:

"I am a Postgraduate student. I want my answer to be evaluated on CEFR guidelines. This is my introductory/middle/concluding paragraph of the answer to the question - '..........'. Tell me where does this answer stand in A1 to C2 level of CEFR guidelines. Also, suggest how to improve the quality of the answer for C2 level."

Secondly, we were instructed to prompt ChatGPT with the request: "Write an introductory/middle/concluding paragraph for the question...... The level of the answer shall be of C2 as per CEFR guidelines. This answer is written by a postgraduate student, so maintain a high academic level." This approach aimed to leverage ChatGPT's capabilities to receive personalized feedback on our answers, ensuring alignment with the high academic standards set by the CEFR guidelines.

"I examined a conclusion from one of my response sheets. Here is the concluding statement I wrote in response to the question about the 'Role of violence in colonialism.'" - "To sum up, the role of violence remains at the centre in colonialism. In 'The Wretched of the Earth', Fanon ventures to explore it via depicting colonial rulers maltreatment to the black and the process of decolonisation"

"I received these recommendations from ChatGPT for enhancing my conclusion in accordance with the CEFRL guidelines at the C2 level": 

“Your concluding paragraph appears to be at a high B2 to low C1 level on the CEFR guidelines. To elevate it to a C2 level, you can enhance precision, complexity, and depth. Consider incorporating more nuanced language, exploring alternative perspectives, and providing a more comprehensive analysis of the complexities surrounding the role of violence in colonialism. Aim for a more sophisticated vocabulary and articulate connections between different aspects of the topic. Additionally, ensure your sentence structures are varied and exhibit a high level of grammatical accuracy.”

"I received the response from ChatGPT, which aligns with the CEFR guidelines , as the optimal conclusion for my answer":

“In conclusion, the pivotal nexus between violence and colonialism is unequivocally underscored. A profound elucidation of this intricate dynamic is unveiled in Fanon's seminal work, 'The Wretched of the Earth,' where he meticulously dissects the egregious maltreatment meted out by colonial rulers towards the black populace, intricately interwoven with the labyrinthine process of decolonization. This analytical exploration not only substantiates the inextricable link between violence and colonial endeavors but also serves as a poignant testament to the profound socio-political ramifications inherent in the legacy of colonialism.:

It was an incredible experience to learn from ChatGPT to improve the quality of answers. I often use ChatGPT to improve the language of my blogs and for other confusions as well. And this activity paved a new path for us to use as our tutor as well which can not only help to give the sample answer for our written answers but also the improvised version of it.

Utilizing ChatGPT as a tutor in a Bloom-facilitated activity was particularly insightful. It guided me in concluding my responses according to CEFR guidelines, spanning B1 to C2 proficiency levels. The improvements suggested by ChatGPT extended beyond mere recommendations; it demonstrated the ideal way to wrap up my ideas, offering valuable insights into language proficiency, grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

What sets AI tutoring apart is its accessibility and effectiveness in providing personalized, one-on-one guidance. ChatGPT doesn't just provide sample answers; it strives to offer the best possible ones for students. This learning experience has inspired me to delve deeper into ChatGPT, honing my skills to craft exceptional answers in university exams.

In both the form and live sessions, we were asked to share our experience. This collaborative aspect, combined with the feedback received, has further motivated me to explore and maximize the potential of ChatGPT in my ongoing learning journey. In sharing our experiences, it became apparent that working with AI tools comes with certain challenges, such as encountering repetitive answers or similarities in responses within the same chat. However, on a personal level, I found the overall experience to be highly beneficial for self-evaluation.

While acknowledging these challenges, the utility of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, in facilitating self-assessment was evident. The tool's ability to provide insights, suggestions, and improvements to my responses outweighed the occasional repetitions. This experience underscored the practical value of integrating AI into the learning process, showcasing its potential as a valuable resource for self-improvement and skill enhancement.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Vaidehi ma’am and Megha ma’am for their guidance in enhancing the quality of our answers. Their insights and tips are invaluable and will undoubtedly contribute to our ability to craft better responses in university exams. 

A special thanks goes to Barad sir for consistently introducing us to innovative learning ideas, such as utilizing ChatGPT as a one-on-one tutor. Your commitment to bringing novel approaches to our learning journey has been instrumental in broadening our perspectives and skills. 

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