Assessing Collaborative Efforts
How should participation in a collaborative learning
community be assessed? How do the varying levels of skill and knowledge
students bring to a course affect the instructor’s “fair and equitable
assessment” of learning?
In most
collaborative learning communities it’s imperative that the individuals know
how they are being assessed. According to Dr. Siemens, “the assessment has to
be changed in order for it to work”. He also states, “That there must be a way
for individual to stand out” (Siemens, 2008). He states that “blogging can help
contribute to the learning community” (Siemens, 2008). This is stated because
it gives the individual a change to express their opinions and still
participate with the community” (Siemens, 2008). I totally agree with Dr. Siemens on all his
opinions. There is a way for all individuals to stand out even though they are
being graded with a group. Active and progressive learning will not occur if
the student cannot function with the group.
If a student does not want to network or collaborate in a
leaning community for an online course, what should the other member of the
learning community do? What role should the instructor play? What impact would
this have on his or her assessment plan?
Some
students don’t like to participate with group assignments. If a student does
not want to participate with the group the educator should find way for that
student to participate without making them feel uncomfortable. Feedback is
always good for students to receive. The group members should also provide
feedback to the instructor on how they feel about various issues. This change
can sometimes assessment plans can give a level of comfort. Students who like
working alone should receive the same equal treatment and assessment that their
classmate receives.
Reference:
Siemens,
G. (2008). Learning Communities. Laureate Education
Siemens,
G. (2008). Assessment of Collaborative Learning, Laureate Education
That is always the issue isn't it, the weak link in the group. Technology and using a variety of options for assessment through the media can allow some students to come out and contribute more than if they had a classroom assignment. Then there are those who just function better as a team of one. With all our new tools, we can better develop projects that can have both autonomy and group collaboration. Blogs are a great example, everyone gets to make the blog what it is while being responsible for their own piece.
ReplyDeleteJeff Sparling