It is obvious that the monitoring of the group by the instructor is essential. I’m always concerned and disturbed by the “slacker†in the group. I let the group know that at the end of the daily group project or exercise that I will be asking them individually “What were your three most important contribution to the group exercise?†If I get a minimal response I then meet with the “slacker†and ask them how they would handle a person who does not contribute to their best ability in the work place. I always give them the theoretical scenario not a specific attack on them as an individual. This also allows me to know what they know and what they think is important. Sharing more of their interests benefits them, the group and myself.
We can clearly observe individual effort within a group by listening and moving around the room and seeing who is actively participating and who is not. If this is not effective, then we can also assign particular tasks for each individual in the group to complete.
Hi David!
Do you provide group members with a rubric on what they are to grade other students or use some type of evaluation form?
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I have to agree with the late Randy Pausch here and say that the best way to evaluate individual students in a group is to let the other group members rate each other. This way you have an idea of how the students interacted with each other. Some students don't have the ability to participate in a group when one member has a leadership interaction and wants to accommplish all tasks and give nobody else a voice. This will give you a very good view of the group as a whole, and then let you find the individual strengths of each student. Let them know their strengths and how to run with them, and how to fix weak spots.
When student groups are formed for a particular class I evaluate their perfomance both individually, by the quality of work they produced while within the group, as well as the group as a whole. I am looking for how the individual is contributing and how effectively the group works as a team to complete the task.
Evaluating individuals of based on group work is difficult. The instructor must be very present, not physically, but present by periodic check point throughout the group work assignment. Talking with all the students on an individual basis gives the instructor insight to how well the student is understanding the assignment and accomplishing the overall learning goal. Also, a peer review can provide a check and balance for the work which is happening away from the instructor. Communication is key.
This is a good point. There are also those students who lack confidence in themselves,and are afraid of failure. They dont want to look bad in front of their peers.Asssigning a specific task would be helpful in this case.
I look at the level of partcipation by observing the group in action, and seeing how each student is participating within the group and contributing to the group activity.
I find having each participant in the group present his/her part of the assignment clearly shows who was or wasn't participating.
It is fun to read the comments on this topic. I use different evaluation methods for different projects.Working in a group can be difficult and the project should be challenging enough to warrant a group! I like accountability in the group by assignment to each member. They can switch with each other if they desire, and they are responsible fortheir portion.
I prefer to grade each part individiually, Grading, even done as a group, should reflect the work done by each person.
For evaluating groups, I make my way around the room quite a bit. I don't let them sit still for very long. I also ask each student to evaluate the effort of everyone in the group including themselves.
After the groups have been formed and everyone has been given a task I will then gather the groups together and find out what their individual responsablities are.I also have them pick a group leader that needs to keep them on track. I will then periodically check in on the groups to sse their status and see if each member is on track. Once it is time to present the group work,I can them see the quality and consistancy of each persons work in relation to the group project.
In summary of the group project I gather the group together and go through each members effort and ask them based on their work, participation and quality to the overall group work what number grade they deserve and why. I also ask the group leader their observation on the total group work and who shone and who did not pull their weight.This way each student is ultimatly responsabile for their own grade in these projects.
I am fortunate that I instruct in an automotive program in which class sizes are up to 12 students. This allows group sizes of 2 - 3 students in a group. Our structure consists of graded lab tasks and a final lab task. We also have a written test related to these tasks. A loafing student can complete the general tasks along with his group but their final tasks are individual. It becomes apparent pretty quickly when a student has loafed because they cannot complete the final task or they score poorly on the written test. They all know in advance what will be required of them.
I like to move around the classroom and observe each student as they respond to a learning session or to a question.
There is usually a few people who lead the group. It is important to assign everyone a task so that all efforts are used in the group. Everyone can be held accountable in the group and the group can be more effective. The leaders can then guide the group, but not carry the group.
I do the same thing. I assign enough specific tasks for each member to take on in a group. The overall project then gets evaluated. So when you get the A-type personalities in with the B-types, the A-types do take control. However, they are doing so by keeping the less inspired team members on track, because their grade depends on it. I have yet to have a complete break up of a group.
Hi Brad!
It seems to me that culinary classes provide a great opportunity for group work because each student is required to showcase their work. It also seems that pride is taken in the finish product whether by group or individual.
I must admit that group work is frustrating for me as a instructor since it is difficult to get a group to work together as a team.
Good job!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
I evaluate individual effort while working with a group by assessing what contributions each individual made toward the completion of the task. I then question the members of the group and have them to grade each individual and themselves. Some times you find out who really did what with out have to assign each individual a task.
teaching in the Culinary Arts I will have each member of the group do a demo based upon the specific skill that was assigned to them. This seems to keep each group member in the game and on point for the demo.
