Steven Pentland, an associate professor in Information Technology Management and Supply Chain Management, recently filed a provisional patent application for his innovative technology, Asynchronous Oral Assessments. This technology powers Rhetorix Lab, a groundbreaking platform that is currently being piloted in select courses within the College of Business and Economics. Rhetorix Lab seamlessly integrates asynchronous video capture with academic assessments and AI-enhanced grading, providing scalability and efficiency within academia.
Rhetorix Lab allows students to complete assessments on their own schedule using any device with a camera and a microphone. This flexibility means learners can demonstrate their knowledge whenever it works with their schedules. Here’s how it works: instructors set specific questions and response times, which students access at their convenience. Using their personal devices, students then respond verbally to the instructor’s questions, with the responses being recorded for review.
Rhetorix lab promotes academic integrity by encouraging critical thinking, as students have limited time to view the questions before the recording begins, minimizing opportunities for academic misconduct. Additionally, the platform allows educators to assess students’ communication skills, a competency typically evaluated through other forms such as group presentations. Rhetorix Lab not only strengthens knowledge assessment but also prepares students for real-world communications demands.
See a demonstration of how Rhetorix Lab is being implemented into Boise State’s Canvas.