According to Palloff and Pratt (2005) collaborative learning should be assessed collaboratively. Students should be given a rubric at the beginning of the online course with the gradable activities clearly defined, both individual and group work. Through the use of the rubric, students can monitor and assess their individual performance as well as their group members performances. Included in the evaluation process, Palloff and Pratt (2005) suggested using self-assessment, instructor assessments, and peer assessments, but to be aware that some students may grade peers unfairly based on personal difficulties. Students should be encouraged to remain professional with their online feedback and should certainly observe proper netiquette at all times.
It is frustrating for members of a learning group when there are slackers in the group who refuse to do their share of the workload. One of the tasks of the instructor in distance education is to empower the learners and to help prevent unequal contributions of the group members. Collaborative learning activities and self assessments are ways to empower the learners (Palloff & Pratt, 2007). Assessment should align with "learning objectives and collaborative activities" to make the task of assessment much easier (Palloff and Pratt, 2005, p. 54). Online learners should provide continuous feedback to each other and to the instructor. Although self-assessment and peer assessment are considered, the final course grade is up to the instructor. Course management systems allow instructors to monitor individual participation of students as to who is logging on and how long they are staying. This should help the instructor to be fair and just when considering final grades for an online course.
References:
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online: Learning together in community. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom, (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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Hi Neena:
ReplyDeleteI can agree, it can be extremely frustrating for those that are "slackers" on their performance in the academic assignment for any group setting. I also, agree a rubrics should be given and followed for accuracy on the grading policy. The final grade should come from the instructor, as part of the evaluation and academic grade. Thanks for your post. Amy
I agree that assessments should be in line with the course objectives, and I think that grades should be based mainly on the work submitted and the participation of the student. Self-assessments and reflections may play a small part, but, in my opinion, those items are better suited to keeping an instructor on their toes instead of the student.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the way that one group member's lack of participation can hurt the whole group is the same in online learning communities as it is in a face-to-face learning community. I remember numerous group projects as far back as high school where at least one person in the group had to take on added work and responsibility because one member decided to slack off instead of pulling their weight. Even now, I'm sure all of us can share entirely too many stories of collaboration gone wrong in our professional communities. How many times have we (or someone else we know) had to pick up the slack for someone who drops the ball in a work project?
Amy and Monica,
ReplyDeleteI agree that collaborative work runs into some difficulties. When I assign group work to my adult nursing students, I receive emails telling me that certain members are not doing their share of the work. So, I know that even though there are many positives to collaborative work, there is certainly a down side. Thank you both for your comments
Neena
I agree Neena about collaborative work. It does have it's downside and upside. I think as an instructor you are already aware of the downsides and the upsides. I believe you should already have a plan in place to handle this situation as appropriately as possible. I think as an instructor you have to be ready and know these things are going to happen in a big group and unfortunately-with adults.
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