Reframing assurance of learning in the age of AI, moving from detection to program-level evidence.

This six-episode season of The Thought Bubble explores how higher education can credibly assure learning in an AI-enabled world. Drawing on OES’s Connected Assurance Framework, the series brings together academic leaders, learning designers and policy experts to examine how learning is designed, supported and evidenced over time. Focused on quality, equity and trust, it offers a practical, sector-facing conversation on building defensible evidence of student capability.

Episode 1 of OES's series about Assurance of Learning opens the season by reframing how we think about the process of teaching, and assessing what has been learned, in the age of AI.

While much of the sector conversation has focused on detection and academic integrity, this episode argues that these responses are symptoms of a deeper issue: the challenge of generating coherent, program-level evidence of learning over time.

Hosted by Amanda Ford (Associate Director of GenAI at OES), this episode features a conversation between Chief Academic and Partnership Officer, Dr Erin Jancauskas and Senior Academic Adviser, Sue Kokonis, who explore how AI is both exposing and accelerating long-standing tensions in assessment, evidence and academic judgement.

You’ll also hear perspectives from Rebecca Hall, OES's Director of Government Relations and higher education policy expert, Chris Gartner, bringing policy, regulatory and sector-level context to the discussion.

A key idea explored in this episode is the distinction between artefact security and evidentiary validity, and what it means to build confidence in learning through multiple signals across time, rather than relying on single assessment events.

This episode introduces the Connected Assurance Framework, which underpins the rest of the season. This framework is discussed in OES's positioning paper on Assurance of Learning which can be found here: https://oes.edu.au/assuranceoflearning/

Published by OES (Online Education Services) – www.oes.edu.au
Recorded in Melbourne, Australia.

Reframing assurance of learning in the age of AI, moving from detection to program-level evidence.
This six-episode season of The Thought Bubble explores how higher education can credibly assure learning in an AI-enabled world. Drawing on OES&rsquo;s Connected Assurance Framework, the series brings together academic leaders, learning designers and policy experts to examine how learning is designed, supported and evidenced over time. Focused on quality, equity and trust, it offers a practical, sector-facing conversation on building defensible evidence of student capability.
<hr>
Episode 1 of OES's series about Assurance of Learning opens the season by reframing how we think about the process of teaching, and assessing what has been learned, in the age of AI.
While much of the sector conversation has focused on detection and academic integrity, this episode argues that these responses are symptoms of a deeper issue: the challenge of generating coherent, program-level evidence of learning over time.
Hosted by Amanda Ford (Associate Director of GenAI at OES), this episode features a conversation between Chief Academic and Partnership Officer, Dr Erin Jancauskas and Senior Academic Adviser, Sue Kokonis, who explore how AI is both exposing and accelerating long-standing tensions in assessment, evidence and academic judgement.
You&rsquo;ll also hear perspectives from Rebecca Hall, OES's Director of Government Relations and higher education policy expert, Chris Gartner, bringing policy, regulatory and sector-level context to the discussion.
A key idea explored in this episode is the distinction between artefact security and evidentiary validity, and what it means to build confidence in learning through multiple signals across time, rather than relying on single assessment events.
This episode introduces the <a href="https://oes.edu.au/assuranceoflearning/">Connected Assurance Framework</a>, which underpins the rest of the season. This framework is discussed in OES's positioning paper on Assurance of Learning which can be found here: <a href="https://oes.edu.au/assuranceoflearning/">https://oes.edu.au/assuranceoflearning/</a>
<hr>
Published by OES (Online Education Services) &ndash; <a href="http://www.oes.edu.au">www.oes.edu.au</a> Recorded in Melbourne, Australia.

Global shifts reshaping higher education: AI, workforce change and the future of universities 

This season captures a moment of significant transition for higher education.

Through expert interviews and industry perspectives, it explores how universities are responding to technological acceleration, changing workforce expectations and new models of delivery.

Positioning OES within the broader sector conversation, the series brings together practical insights and external viewpoints to better understand what the future of universities could look like in practice.

This season presents a macro view of higher education transformation, shaped by intersecting global forces:
Technological forces, including AI, data, digital platforms and emerging environments like the metaverse, are reshaping how education is designed, delivered and experienced.
Economic pressures, from labour market change to global competition and shifting value propositions, are redefining how universities position themselves and demonstrate relevance.
Social dynamics, including changing student expectations and a renewed focus on access, equity and participation, are influencing how institutions engage and support increasingly diverse cohorts.
Educational models themselves are evolving, with new approaches to assessment, delivery formats and learning experience design redefining what effective, high-quality education looks like in practice.

Together, these forces highlight a sector in transition, requiring institutions to rethink how they design, deliver and sustain meaningful learning outcomes.

Higher education in transition

How are global forces reshaping higher education, and how should universities respond?

Season 1 of The Thought Bubble brings together global experts, industry leaders and policy voices to explore the structural shifts transforming higher education.

Across the season, conversations examine how artificial intelligence, workforce disruption, globalisation and emerging technologies are reshaping how universities design learning, deliver education and support student outcomes.

From AI and data to assessment, employability and access, the series provides real-world perspectives on how institutions can adapt to rapid change and navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.

What to expect

Across the season, the conversation moves from emerging trends to practical implications for institutions.

The episodes explore:
how artificial intelligence and data are transforming higher education
how workforce shifts are redefining skills, employability and curriculum
how assessment is evolving in response to digital capability and AI
how online and peer-based learning are reshaping student experience
how globalisation is changing delivery models and competition
how equity, access and participation are being redefined

Published by OES (Online Education Services) – www.oes.edu.au
Recorded in Melbourne, Australia.

Global shifts reshaping higher education: AI, workforce change and the future of universities&nbsp;
This season captures a moment of significant transition for higher education.
Through expert interviews and industry perspectives, it explores how universities are responding to technological acceleration, changing workforce expectations and new models of delivery.
Positioning OES within the broader sector conversation, the series brings together practical insights and external viewpoints to better understand what the future of universities could look like in practice.
This season presents a macro view of higher education transformation, shaped by intersecting global forces:
<ul>
<li>Technological forces, including AI, data, digital platforms and emerging environments like the metaverse, are reshaping how education is designed, delivered and experienced.</li>
<li>Economic pressures, from labour market change to global competition and shifting value propositions, are redefining how universities position themselves and demonstrate relevance.</li>
<li>Social dynamics, including changing student expectations and a renewed focus on access, equity and participation, are influencing how institutions engage and support increasingly diverse cohorts.</li>
<li>Educational models themselves are evolving, with new approaches to assessment, delivery formats and learning experience design redefining what effective, high-quality education looks like in practice.</li>
</ul>
Together, these forces highlight a sector in transition, requiring institutions to rethink how they design, deliver and sustain meaningful learning outcomes.
<hr>
Higher education in transition
How are global forces reshaping higher education, and how should universities respond?
Season 1 of The Thought Bubble brings together global experts, industry leaders and policy voices to explore the structural shifts transforming higher education.
Across the season, conversations examine how artificial intelligence, workforce disruption, globalisation and emerging technologies are reshaping how universities design learning, deliver education and support student outcomes.
From AI and data to assessment, employability and access, the series provides real-world perspectives on how institutions can adapt to rapid change and navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.
<hr>
What to expect
Across the season, the conversation moves from emerging trends to practical implications for institutions.
The episodes explore:
<ul>
<li>how artificial intelligence and data are transforming higher education</li>
<li>how workforce shifts are redefining skills, employability and curriculum</li>
<li>how assessment is evolving in response to digital capability and AI</li>
<li>how online and peer-based learning are reshaping student experience</li>
<li>how globalisation is changing delivery models and competition</li>
<li>how equity, access and participation are being redefined</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Published by OES (Online Education Services) &ndash; <a href="http://www.oes.edu.au">www.oes.edu.au</a> Recorded in Melbourne, Australia.

Through expert interviews and industry perspectives, season one of OES' The Thought Bubble podcast it explores how universities are responding to technological acceleration, changing workforce expectations and new models of delivery.

Season 1: Trends in Higher Education and Online Learning

As Higher Education is catapulted into the digital era, many in the sector are scrambling to catch–up with the needs of our rapidly changing world. This podcast from OES shares insightful interviews with experts from around the world, examining emerging technologies and the ways in which they’re transforming how we teach, learn, evaluate, and experience Higher Education. Hosted by OES Executive Director, Claire Sadler.

Find out more about what we do: https://oes.edu.au/

As Higher Education is catapulted into the digital era, many in the sector are scrambling to catch–up with the needs of our rapidly changing world. This podcast from OES shares insightful interviews with experts from around the world, examining emerging technologies and the ways in which they’re transforming how we teach, learn, evaluate, and experience Higher Education. Hosted by OES Executive Director, Claire Sadler.
Find out more about what we do: <a href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foes.edu.au%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cjhansen%40oes.edu.au%7C3b5735c2a8894838f2c208da84bacd37%7C57d289898c4541189cde8a03712e508d%7C0%7C0%7C637968235112317827%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gTmeEN6oxcIVWyhedqRXtg%2FwbQM%2FtVZB7gtG51bMSvc%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://oes.edu.au/</a>

The Thought Bubble

OES academic and policy experts discuss why the Australian higher education sector must reframe assurance of learning in the age of AI, moving from detection to program-level evidence.

Episode 1: Assurance of learning in an AI world – what problem are we actually solving?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/bd83cac2-c86b-4c95-b314-aefb00235aaa/clips/b8a3a79f-4c69-44a3-95ad-b42e00682f2d/transcript