Many times it seems instruction ends when students are assigned to groups, in a way they tend to be left off on their own devices to work things out. But if you observe the group interections and continue to be involved as they work, it is easier to not only evalute individual contributions, but also direct some of the work distribution, as needed.
Would you be willing to share some of the website where you've found resources?
The group assignment has two graded parts which require individual and group effort. Each group member develops through research a component of the project and presents that as an individual paper. The group is responsible for creating a final group project that consolidates and organizes the individual research.
Hugh,
yes, to a certain extent it is a matter of setting the right expectations & then following up on those.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Typically when we break students into working groups me make sure that they know in advance that all are required to participate in discussion and solving the group's questions. To check on learning they know that all will be required to participate and speak when the group reveals the solution to the problem set.
I use a grading rubric form for each group member to evaluate each other's contributution individually, as well as my own evaluation of the entire group presentation. If one person does not contribute to the group effort, I expect the other group members to reflect that in their individual peer evaluation of each other. I do not encourage them to give each other 100% unless the assertion is well documented by supporting comments on the grading rubric. Without supporting documentation, the peer assessment drops down a notch. I generally think that they are too easy on each other, and would all agree to give each other 100% if they didnt have to earn the points in each category. My assessment counts more than the student assessments towards the project grade.
Richard,
I completely agree that this is an excellent way to evaluate as we can tie specific assessments to each role.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Minnie ,
this is a great approach, setting that expectation for accountability early on, this way there is no mystery as to what is expected.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
An easy way of evaluating a group is to assign a each member a different role within the group. If it is a project class, one student can keep budget, one does the blueprint, another does the actual build, and so on. Then for each project the students can switch roles so they gain experience with each position.
Hello William:
I have had great success when establishing team in my english class. However, I inform the students in the beginning that there will be a system of accountability within the team. This has created a level of communication to allow each student a chance to ask questions and add suggestions.
Carol,
this also helps those who may be shy or holding back to contribute & encourages the more vocal to step back as dominating can be viewed negatively & impact their grade as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I really like the idea of peer review as well. I have had them identify what role they played in the group and then hand that in and give a grade to the whole group. It will be interesting to see what they say about each other's work.
I too like the idea that each student in the group should be given an assignment and his or her assignment should be graded individually not the group be given a grade. This does push students to think about their individual performance if they tend to be under achievers.
I have evaluation sheets made by corporate and I evaluate individual as well as student group participation. I have a small class, usually 6 to 8 students, so I have them work in pairs, 2 at a time.
I put students in groups of 3-4 and assign specific tasks for students perform. I like to physically observe group dynamics and intervene if needed. Over the years I have allowed students the chance to evaluate one another as well.
When students work in groups I evaluate their individual performance two ways. Typically the entire group earns the same grade but then each member receives an additional grade for their personal contributions. In order to assign this grade I have students self-assess their contribution to the group and I have all the group members peer evaluate the other members of the group. I compare individual's comments to the comments of their peers to see if they are reflecting similar contribution levels.
Each member of the group should be evaluated individually while evaluating the team. Since each team member can contribute to the group in different ways.
One of my courses is working on Table Clinics which is a group effort(2-3 students max). Already, there is one group in which 2 of the 3 have completed parts of an assignment & the third just tagged along. It was duly noted! There is a peer Review assoc. with this entire assignment in which members of the group will also assess their partners (privately). I hope they are honest.
Romana ,
this is a great idea as it provides a good balance of the group & individual work.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Before I put the students into groups I tell them that I will monitoring every one of them. I also will tell them during their group assignment to encourage each other for support. ex. If one student is not participating, another will help him out.
