How Did WE Work? Assessing Collaborative Assignments

"How Did We Work?" will explore assessment of progress and outcomes in collaborative assignments and projects.

How can we help students achieve their best individually, while encouraging them to participate meaningfully in collaborative activities? We need to give formative assessments (how are they doing?) and summative assessments (did they achieve learning or project goals?). We need to assess the individual and/or team contributions and the individual and/or collective outcomes of the collaborative process.

Salmons' Typology for Assessment encompasses seven types of individual and collective, self- and instructor-generated assessments for formative or summative purposes. An overview of these types will provide a framework for practical examples and strategies.