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Macallan College uses AI within the aXcelerate Learning Management System to support assessors with short answer assessment marking – improving feedback consistency and reducing marking time while maintaining full human oversight.
This case study shows how AI can be applied responsibly in assessment when embedded within an LMS and used to assist, not replace, assessors.
Macallan College is a registered training organisation delivering vocational education across multiple campuses, with a strong focus on quality delivery, compliance and student experience. As an organisation operating at scale, Macallan College continually looks for ways to improve efficiency while maintaining confidence in assessment integrity, consistency and a world-class learner experience.
Short answer assessment questions are essential for assessing learner understanding, but they can be time-consuming to mark and difficult to keep consistent across assessors.
At Macallan College, increasing assessment volumes meant assessors were spending significant time manually reviewing short answer responses. Providing clear, constructive and consistent feedback – particularly for not-yet-satisfactory attempts – was becoming more challenging as workloads increased.
The College wanted to explore whether AI could help reduce marking effort while maintaining assessment integrity and compliance confidence.
Rather than automating assessment decisions, Macallan College introduced AI-assisted short answer marking within aXcelerate to support assessors.
Within aXcelerate, AI is used to:
Assessors review AI-assisted outputs and retain full responsibility for final assessment decisions. AI acts as a productivity aid within the LMS, not an automated assessor.
Since introducing AI-assisted marking in aXcelerate, Macallan College has reported:
On average, the College estimates a ~30% reduction in marking time for short answer assessments, helping assessors manage workloads more effectively during peak periods.
Macallan College’s experience demonstrates how RTOs can use AI safely within their LMS by:
By embedding AI within aXcelerate and keeping assessors in control, Macallan College was able to improve efficiency without compromising assessment integrity or compliance expectations.
This case study highlights a practical approach to AI adoption in vocational education. When AI is used within a controlled LMS environment like aXcelerate – and supported by human review – it can help RTOs improve assessment efficiency while maintaining confidence in learner outcomes.
Does AI replace assessors in aXcelerate?
No. AI supports assessor workflows, but assessors remain responsible for reviewing outputs and making final assessment decisions.
Can AI be used safely in assessment marking?
Yes, when AI is used as a support tool within an LMS and combined with human oversight, it can improve efficiency without compromising assessment integrity.
Is it risky to experiment with AI in an RTO?
AI becomes risky when it is used informally or outside controlled systems. Experimenting within a secure LMS is significantly lower risk than ad-hoc use of public tools.
How do RTOs maintain compliance when using AI?
Compliance is maintained by ensuring:
When these controls are in place, AI can support efficiency without compromising regulatory obligations.
How does aXcelerate support RTOs getting started with AI?
aXcelerate enables RTOs to explore AI within their existing LMS environment, allowing staff to use AI-assisted features while retaining oversight and responsibility. Learn more about aXcelerate's AI features here.
Not using aXcelerate yet? Book a demo here.
Want to learn more about AI in VET? Check out this article that covers key insights from our AI Panel at aXcelerate Day 2025:
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The Celebrant Institute has experienced transformative outcomes from implementing aXcelerate. Read the case study to find out more.
