Certification is one of the central trust functions of educational institutions, yet the evidence used to support certification is becoming more complex, particularly in open, flexible, distance, and AI-enabled learning environments. Learners may engage asynchronously, produce evidence across multiple platforms, and use generative artificial intelligence in ways that can support, transform, or obscure the relationship between submitted work and demonstrated competence.

This conceptual and design-based session proposes a model for certification assurance in assessment. The Certification Assurance Quality Indicators (CAQI) model combines the identification of certification assurance risk with the effectiveness of institutional interventions and controls. Read together, these two lenses support professional judgement about residual certification risk after relevant controls have been applied.

CAQI is conceived as a rule-based traceable framework using locally calibrated indicators and weightings, supported by qualitative evidence and human judgement. It is not generated through artificial intelligence, used to rank learners or intended to automate certification decisions. Grounded in literature on assessment validity, authentic assessment in the age of generative AI, learning analytics ethics, dashboard design, and risk-informed quality assurance, the model offers a practical and cautious approach for moving from reactive academic integrity management towards ongoing, explainable, and learner-centred certification assurance.

In this session, you will learn about the CAQI model and interrogate your exposure to AI when it comes to your assessments. You get hands-on practice with the model that you can use as a tool going forward.

The facilitator

Ralph Springett, MA, is the President of the Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand (FLANZ) and the Manager of the Assessment Centre at the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. Ralph is also a Director at ReGear Learning Ltd, a company providing eLearning resources and strategy advice for vocational training organisations. In the past Ralph represented distance students while studying extramurally at Massey University.

The organisers

Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand (FLANZ) and Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (ODLAA) bring this webinar to you as part of APODE Week. The Asia-Pacific Online Distance Education week will be held from 10 to 12 November 2026 and will explore the topics around learning and teaching at times of increasing generative AI use and how education can stay human. We partner with EDEN Digital Learning Europe who was holding the European Open and Digital Learning Week (EODLW) at the same time.

This event will take place on 11 November 2026 at 1pm NZDT / 11am AEDT. Check your time zone if the event time is not calculated for your time zone above.

The event image is by Felipe Gregate, shared on Unsplash.

Accessibility

General information

Features