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Assessing Group Work

Assessment

Example

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s by College

Assess process, not just product.

Type

If both product and process are important to you, both should be reflected in students grades a
accord each will depend on your learning objectives for the course and for the assignment. Ideally
be communicated to students via a rubric. This is especially important if you are emphasizing skill
to being evaluated on (such as the ability to cooperate, meet deadlines, etc.)

The
Whys and Hows

Ask students to assess their own contribution to the team.

Tools by

All of the basic principles of assessment that apply to individual work apply to group work as well.
added wrinkles, however. First, depending on the objectives of the assignment, both process and p
be assessed. Second, group performance must be translated into individual grades which raises
equity. Complicating both these issues is the fact that neither group processes nor individual contr
apparent in the final product. Thus, the instructor needs to find ways of obtaining that information
principles should be adapted to the context of specific courses.

ssessment Basics

Have students evaluate their own teamwork skills and their contribution to the groups process usi
focuses on the process skills you are emphasizing, e.g., respectfully listening to and considering op
A opinion; effectively managing conflict around differences in ideas or approaches; keeping the grou
between meetings; promptness in meeting deadlines; and appropriate distribution of research, an

A
ssess Student Learning

Classroom Assessment
Techniques

Strategies and Considerations for

Creating Tests

Grading and Performance Rubrics

Hold individuals accountable.

To motivate individual students and discourage the free-rider phenomenon, it is important to asse
and understanding, as well as group products and processes. In addition to evaluating the work of
individual students to demonstrate their learning. This can be done via independent write-ups, we
quizzes, etc.

Ask students to evaluate their groups dynamics and the contributions of their teamm

Gauge what various group members have contributed to the group (e.g., effort, participation, coop
communication skills) by asking team members to complete a group processes evaluation form. W
strategy (students may feel social pressure to cover for one another), combined with other factors
accountability, it can provide you with important information about the dynamics within groups an
individual members.
If you are gathering feedback from external clients (for example, in the context of public reviews o
creations), this feedback can also be incorporated into your assessment of group work. Feedback f
address product (Does it work? Is it a good solution/design?) or process (based on the clients
and its ability to communicate effectively, respond appropriately, or meet deadlines) and can be in
informally into the group grade.

> Group and Self-Assessment Tool

Concept Maps

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> Grading Methods for Group Work

Using ConcepTests to Monitor and Instructor and student options for assessing group work.
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