Group assessment

Group work and group assessment has been the subject of much debate in recent years and as with any approach to assessment, it has its advantages and disadvantages. The key aspect to consider is whether there are clear educational goals that can best be achieved through group work, whether these be related to discipline-based knowledge or generic skills. Group work should not be implemented just because it is fashionable to do so. There are numerous resources available to draw on if you are considering why and how you might use group work.

The following activities are designed as starting points to help you:

• consider the main problems associated with the assessment of group work
• identify some practical suggestions that you could trial in your own teaching situation
• reflect on the way other staff have implemented group assessment

1. The 2002 AUTC project conducted by James, McInnis and Devlin produced some very useful advice on Assessing group work. The material deals with reasons for group work, and some of the main problems associated with it, including the establishing of groups, the design of group activities, weighing up options in respect to product/process, criteria, awarding individual or group marks, having teacher or peer assessment. Some advice on how to get started is provided. As you read, create a table for yourself that outlines the problems most pertinent to your practice, and some solutions that you could try to make the assessment of group work more manageable and effective.
2. Geoff Isaacs from the Teaching and Educational Development Institute (TEDI) at the University of Queensland has produced a very helpful booklet entitled Assessing Group Tasks (209 KB). It deals in a practical way with the well-known issues associated with the implementation of group work, including when to assess it and when not to, assigning of marks (to group or individuals), self and peer assessment, and logistical matters.
3. Further information on assessment of group work can be accessed from the University of Wollongong Good Practice - Assessment website.
4. For some interesting and innovative case studies that incorporate group assessment in an online context, link to the work of some Deakin staff available on the contemporary online teaching cases website.

• Kristin Demetrious - Using role play as an approach to online assessment
• Peter Haeusler - An online approach to project-based assessment in politics
• Steve Mackay - Developing online assignment work in public relations