AI in Assessment Example: Level 3

Technical Report (Engineering, 300-level)

At this “AI Collaboration” level of the five-level AI Assessment Scale (Perkins, et al., 2024) students can use Al to help complete the task, including idea generation, drafting, feedback, and refinement. Students should critically evaluate and modify the Al suggested outputs, demonstrating their own understanding.

Course: ENGR 305 – Engineering Design and Documentation

Assignment Title: Completing a Technical Report on a Recent Engineering Project with AI Collaboration

Due Date: [Insert Due Date]

Assignment Overview:
In this assignment, you will complete a technical report on a recent engineering project, using AI tools to assist with drafting and editing. AI will help draft sections of the report and suggest technical refinements, but you must critically evaluate the AI-generated content to ensure its accuracy and relevance to your project. This assignment focuses on the collaborative use of AI to enhance the technical precision of your report while requiring you to take responsibility for the quality and relevance of the final document.

Objectives:

To complete a detailed technical report on an engineering project, using AI tools to assist with drafting and technical refinements.
To critically evaluate and modify AI-generated content, ensuring that the report is accurate, relevant, and well-aligned with engineering standards.
To document the evolution of the report from AI-generated drafts to the final version, including a reflection on the critical modifications you made.

Instructions:

Project Selection and Initial Research:
- Select a recent engineering project you have worked on or studied. The project should be relevant to your course and provide sufficient technical detail for a comprehensive report.
- Gather all necessary data, schematics, design documents, and other relevant materials that will inform your technical report.
AI-Assisted Drafting:
- Use AI tools to draft initial sections of your technical report. AI can assist in writing the introduction, methodology, results, and technical discussions, providing a structured foundation for your report.
- Review the AI-generated draft, focusing on technical accuracy, clarity, and relevance to your project. Identify areas where the AI-generated content needs refinement or additional technical detail.
Critical Evaluation and Technical Refinement:
- Critically evaluate the AI-generated sections, ensuring that all technical content is accurate and aligns with the project’s objectives and engineering standards. Make necessary modifications to improve the technical precision, clarity, and relevance of the report.
- Add any missing details, correct any inaccuracies, and refine the technical language to ensure that the report meets the high standards expected in engineering documentation.
Finalizing the Technical Report:
- Complete the final version of your technical report, integrating the AI-generated content with your own technical expertise. The report should include:
  - Introduction: An overview of the engineering project, including objectives, scope, and relevance.
  - Methodology: A detailed description of the methods and processes used in the project, including any calculations, simulations, or design processes.
  - Results: A presentation of the project’s outcomes, including data, charts, graphs, and other relevant findings.
  - Discussion: An analysis of the results, including technical interpretations, implications for engineering practice, and any limitations of the project.
  - Conclusion: A summary of the key findings and recommendations for future work.
Version History and Reflection:
- Submit version histories showing the evolution of the report from AI-generated drafts to the final version. This should include key stages where significant modifications were made, highlighting how the report improved over time.
- Write a reflection (2-3 pages) discussing the collaborative process with AI. Reflect on how AI contributed to the drafting process, the technical refinements you made, and how you ensured the accuracy and relevance of the final report.
Final Submission:
- Submit your complete technical report, including all sections listed above, along with the version history and your reflective piece.
- Ensure that the report is well-organized, clearly written, and professionally presented, with appropriate citations and technical documentation where necessary.

Evaluation Criteria:

– Technical Accuracy and Relevance (35%): Demonstrating a high level of technical accuracy and relevance in the report, with well-supported findings and alignment with engineering standards.

– Critical Engagement with AI Tools (25%): Effectively using AI to draft and refine the technical report, with a clear demonstration of critical evaluation and improvement of AI-generated content.

– Clarity and Coherence of Report (20%): Presenting a well-organized and clearly articulated technical report that effectively communicates the project’s outcomes and technical insights.

– Reflection on AI Collaboration (15%): Providing insightful and critical reflections on the role of AI in the drafting process, including how you modified and improved the AI-generated content.

– Writing and Presentation Quality (5%): Producing a professionally written and well-presented technical report, with attention to clarity, formatting, and adherence to engineering documentation standards.

Support Resources:

– AI Tools and Software: Access to AI tools such as [specify tools, e.g., Grammarly, ChatGPT, MATLAB with documentation features] will be provided through the university’s engineering lab. Tutorials on using these tools for drafting and technical refinement will be available at the beginning of the assignment period.

– Workshops and Tutorials: Attend workshops focused on AI-assisted writing in engineering, covering techniques for drafting, technical accuracy, and refining technical language.

– Office Hours: Schedule office hours with your instructor to discuss your technical report topic, AI tool use, and strategies for critically evaluating and improving AI-generated content.

– Library Resources: The university library offers access to engineering journals, project reports, and technical databases. Librarians can assist you in finding relevant research and navigating AI tools for technical writing.

– Peer Collaboration: Join peer review sessions where you can present your AI-generated drafts and receive feedback on how to refine and enhance your technical report.

Academic Integrity:
Your final technical report must reflect your original work, with AI tools used to support the drafting and refinement process. Misuse of AI to generate unoriginal content or failure to critically engage with AI-generated outputs will be considered a violation of academic integrity. All AI tools and methods used must be properly documented and critically assessed in your reflection.

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