Assessment | New Ireland Institute 2.0

New Ireland Institute Assessment Philosophy: Performance as Assessment

Performance-Based Assessment for Civic Leadership

The New Ireland Institute uses a performance-based assessment model designed for a modern learning environment shaped by AI, civic complexity, and applied leadership practice. Our assessments emphasise clarity, ethical reasoning, communication skills, and the ability to apply knowledge in practical civic contexts.

1. Responsible Use of AI — Human-Led, Evidence-Informed Work

Learners may use approved AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Perplexity, Canva, Sora) for research support, ideation, and preparation.
However:

All assessed work must be human-led.
AI may assist preparation, not produce or perform the assessment.
Learners must be able to explain, justify, and defend their decisions, sources, and reasoning.

This approach aligns with emerging university AI policies across Ireland and Northern Ireland and ensures academic integrity.

2. Performance-Based Demonstration of Learning

Each module includes one structured performance assessment that evaluates key leadership and communication skills.

Typical formats include:

A 3–5 minute explainer video or
A 4–8 slide visual briefing deck or
A short civic-leadership pitch or analysis
A viva-style follow-up (2–4 minutes) to confirm authenticity, reasoning, and ethical awareness

These tasks assess clarity, logic, communication, civic understanding, and responsible use of evidence.

3. Viva Questions for Authenticity

A brief oral questioning element follows each performance task to verify:

the student’s comprehension
the reasoning behind their argument or analysis
ethical and methodological decision-making
appropriate and transparent use of AI tools (where used)

Example questions:

“Why did you choose this case example?”
“What assumptions shaped your interpretation?”
“How did you ensure neutrality and ethical communication?”

This ensures assessments remain AI-resilient and academically credible.

4. Portfolio-Ready Outputs (Mapped to the 5 Modules)

By the end of the programme, students build a professional portfolio including:

Module 0 – Leadership & Integrity

Values statement
Personal leadership profile
Ethical decision-making reflection

Module 1 – Civic Literacy & Governance

Institutional explainer video or briefing deck
Governance pathway map
Short written interpretation of ARINS data or polling insights

Module 2 – Electoral Literacy & Public Opinion

PR-STV or electoral-behaviour explainer
Polling interpretation slide deck
Data-interpretation commentary

Module 3 – Communication & Presence

Public-speaking sample
Media statement or civic narrative
Message-discipline exercise

Module 4 – Persuasion, Debate & Dialogue

Debate clip or structured argument
Cross-community dialogue simulation output
Conflict-sensitivity demonstration

Module 5 – Digital Tools, Responsible AI & Applied Leadership

AI-assisted research output (fully attributed)
Short crisis-communication simulation
Final applied civic-leadership presentation

These artifacts help students advance applications to universities, roles in public service, nonprofits, campaign work, and leadership pipelines.

5. Why This Model Works

Our assessment model ensures:

Authenticity: Students must demonstrate real understanding, not AI-generated text.
Relevance: Assessments mirror real civic-leadership tasks used in government, NGOs, and public communication.
Academic Integrity: Viva checks prevent plagiarism and over-reliance on AI.
Future-readiness: Students learn to use AI responsibly, ethically, and transparently.
Professional Portfolios: Graduates leave with communication samples, data interpretation, policy explainers, and leadership artifacts.

Summary Statement

Performance-based assessment ensures NII graduates can think clearly, communicate responsibly, use evidence ethically, and apply civic knowledge in real contexts. These are the core competencies of modern civic leadership — and they cannot be automated.