Our Assessment Innovation Fund pilots: Progressay

Progressay

Progressay is an edtech company providing online-based learning assessment. As an award-winning edtech start-up, they have developed a patent-pending augmented essay-grading AI designed to enhance essay marking and accelerate learning.  

About the pilot

With support from the Assessment Innovation Fund, Progressay is undertaking research into AI augmented feedback to see if the novel technology that has been developed can improve pupil performance, boost learner self-efficacy whilst slashing teacher workload. 

Two factors have been identified that explain why there is a need for such technology. The first is a lack of skills in students. Progressay have said, “we are experiencing massive skills shortages which the World Bank and UNESCO are reporting could lead to $17 trillion in loss of earnings for the generation affected by Covid.” The second is a teacher retention crisis, reports show that rising workload has led to a teacher retention crisis, with 1 in 5 teachers considering leaving the profession. These factors have inspired the team at Prograssay to think about how tech can be developed to make teaching more manageable.  

Progressay’s pioneering new AI grading software has been designed to reduce teacher workload without compromising the quality of essay marking.  The pilot will evaluate the use of automated marking technology for open responses during a mock exam style assessment on student attainment and engagement. 

This pilot will explore the potential impact of high quality real-time diagnostic feedback on learner efficacy using NLP technology focusing on two key aims: 

To accelerate learner attainment 

The pilot will seek to identify whether access to computer-assisted assessment will accelerate learner attainment. It will explore how we distinguish knowledge from understanding and consider whether key variables from general access to a computer to the user-interface design helps or hinders learning.  

To foster learner efficacy 

Measuring learner efficacy is complex, so the pilot will draw on established educational theory and the best of teacher-as-practitioner experience. It will explore the impact of access to real-time feedback that is presented in pedagogically sound diagnostic feedback.  This will be measured through increased student efficacy and improved student outcomes. 

Take part in the research 

The research is open to any schools and organisations interested in exploring advancements in assessments.  

Register your interest