Evolution of Onscreen Marking to AI marking

Over the past two decades, exam marking has transformed dramatically, from paper scripts circulating through complex postal and manual workflows to sophisticated digital platforms and, more recently, AI-enabled systems designed to enhance speed, consistency, security and scalability.

In this free AI SIG webinar, Patrick Coates will:

• share his experience and knowledge of high-volume scanning of handwritten scripts into secure digital images (e.g., PDF/TIFF) with centralised storage, enabling faster distribution to markers, reducing the risk of lost scripts, and improving audit trails—while keeping marking judgements human-led.
• highlight how purpose-built on-screen marking systems introduced capabilities such as digital annotation, item-level marking, standardisation tools (seed scripts/exemplars), and real-time monitoring. Processes supporting more consistent and scalable marking and earlier detection of marker drift or bias.
• explore the transition to AI-assisted marking, where advances in machine learning and NLP enable AI scoring; used most commonly in formative contexts, with human-in-the-loop approaches applied more cautiously in summative settings. Partrick discusses typical use cases (e.g., pre-scoring/triage and flagging anomalous responses for human review) and the ‘road ahead’ including the need for transparency/explainability and defensible regulatory frameworks as AI becomes part of scalable assessment.

About the e-Assessment Association

The e-Assessment Association (eAA) is the global, independent community for professionals involved in digital assessment. As a not-for-profit organisation, we connect practitioners, technology providers, educators, awarding organisations and researchers around the world to share expertise, set standards and champion the trusted use of technology to transform assessment practice and policy. Our community offers valuable insights, events, resources and opportunities that support professional growth and innovation across all sectors of education and assessment. 

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Networks are at the heart of our collaborative activity. SIGs bring together members with shared interests in specific areas of digital assessment to exchange ideas, share best practice and advance their collective expertise. Through focused discussions, webinars, working groups and content contributions, SIGs help shape the agenda in areas such as AI in assessment, accessibility, online proctoring, workforce mobility and more. 

Our Networks provide facilitated communities for specific audiences. For example, the Awarding Organisation (AO) Network supports assessment organisations to collaborate, share experience and develop practice in technology-enabled assessment delivery. 

We encourage you to explore all that the eAA has to offer. Visit www.e-assessment.com to find upcoming events, join a Special Interest Group, access resources, and become part of our vibrant global community. Members can log in to view exclusive content, engage with peers and help shape the future of digital assessment.