Moodleposium/2009/Burrell

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NEW Group work: Fairly Assessable?
Amanda Burrell, UC

Group assignments are set, group formation feels strangely like storming, they have plenty of time, yet don’t seem to begin. You regale them with the cautionary tale of the tortoise and the hare … and yet procrastination persists. At last they start, allow too little time, allocate work piece meal to group members, a similar font and some editing will tie it all together with a neat bow. After a few all-nighters, their opus is delivered, they’re a little tired, fragile and a hint of group tension surfaces, then dissipates.

Having completed the marking marathon, you wait … for the complaints; appeals; disputes about grades and commitment, wondering if 300 individual assignments would have been a more sensible choice.

Imagine a world where group work;

· runs smoothly

· domestic and international student happily coexist

· has open communication channels

· students love it

· you fairly reward each for their effort

· reduce your marking load

· mirror industry processes

and

· possibly even save a life

I’m here to tell you it can happen, repeatedly, predictably and be a high point in your curriculum, rather than something to be endured.