When evaluating individuals in student groups, it is best to ask each of the group members to do a self evaluation and list down all the things they did to contribute to the group project.
I frequently use peer evaluation. Each group member has a copy of the rubric and they must use it as a basis for their peer feedback.
I usually provide a group evaluation/ feedback from. This allows the student to provide feedback on how they felt the group work helped them learn, but also what was the level of contribution of others in the group. Additionally it helps me evaluate and make changes in the group assignment accordingly.
I like to ensure that each team has the ability to evaluate not only their own individual performance but the performance of other team members. If you have a social loafer in the group the first ones to recognize it and acknowledge it are the other group members :-) Peer pressure does have its advantages.
Hi Amy!
Do you think that it would be a good approach to ask students to evaluate themselves? I know that group members are often asked to evaluate each other so I just curious?
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I usually observe student interaction and conversation. My students tend to speak loudly enough for me to hear what is being discussed during group work time and if one member is slacking off on his or her part of the work load then it becomes apparent.
Hi Jon-Paul!
How do you ensure mandatory discussions are taking place within the group?
Jane Davis
ED01 Facilitator
Ginell Agnew
Working in groups helps the students that are nonparticpants participate in class discussions. Not being in the group illustrates that the class can often become a session for cliques making the classroom unverisal creates a warm enviroment to learn in.
By breaking group projects into individual deliverables, then manadatory discussion on each deliverable.
Asking each member of the group to give an individual critique of the other members' work within the group is a good way to gain another perspective in terms of assessment and evaluation; that, coupled with constant group monitoring by the instructor, will provide a well-balanced and fair individual evaluation.
I like to grade the individual student's conribution to the group based on the task assigned to the student by the group. Whole group grading is based on the final project of the entire group.
Hi John!
Evaluating individual work in a group setting continues to challenge me. Each new class of students are so different that it's like starting all over again just when you think you have it group work all worked out. Do you find that happens with you as well? Do you have suggestions on an approach to resolving the challenge?
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Constant monitoring as well as grouping students differently allow me to see how different abilities and experience levels collaborate. I can then create an approach so that all feel that they have an equal weight in the grade for the group. I also identify an individual grading assessment towards their contribution to the group and discuss this assessment with them individually.
Hi Monica!
You definitely have a good understanding and approach to group work. I like the individual grade,then adjusting points based on participation.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I make sure that the students know and understand what each one of their's role will be in the group.
A portion of their grade is group work and the other portion is individual. I also ask students to evaluate themselves and each other.
I have found that each student assumes a role when placed in small group activities. There is always one who takes the lead and commences to get organized. Once a system of organization has been established, the rest of the team usually falls in line to accomplish the goal. Although, more emphasis seems to be placed on their individual tasks,they eventually learn to work together. Since each has a task to accomplish, it is easier to evaluate their performance on that task and give or take away participation points for their work within the group setting.
When students are in groups that have to produce a practical, hands-on outcome as directed by the instructor, then each member of the group should be assigned an integral component of that task. Each student can then be evaluated based on individual contributions, and the group as a whole can be evaluated on the totality of their product.
I have previously assigned a group project and 1 of the guidlines for completion were for the entire group to generate one list of the individual responsibilities within the group. If the students are able to fairly identify their "work role" in the group it better assist me with individual evaluation.
This has been the toughest part of group projects. I never liked the idea of group projects since one or two people do all of the work but the group, as a whole, gets credit for it. Instead, we have developed a checklist that students can follow that will provide self assessment and assess the contributions of their fellow group members. It is important to assign credit to individual contribution even in a group setting.
