Collaboration in a learning community should be assessed by both the teacher and the students, especially in small groups. When working in a group it’s easy to turn in a great finished project but everybody didn’t participate, by both the students and teacher assessing the projects, you would see more of a fair grade. The level of skill and knowledge that students bring to any class varies, it’s harder for a teacher to know this with an online course. Having a pre-assessment to see where each students stand would be a good way to get a feel of the class. It also gives teachers an insight on what to expect from the student and where you want the student to be by the end of the class.
Some students rather work alone, they feel that they won’t shine if their in a group setting. “Do not assume that students will jump at the opportunity to collaborate” (Palloff and Pratt, 2005). By making collaboration a requirement, makes these students have to participate. Giving students’ work that would be graded individually helps them feel comfortable. Most of the students who prefer to work alone have a lot to offer to a group so as an instructor you want them to be able to voice their opinions. As a group member you have to realize that everybody does not want to work in a group and let your group member be in on all assignments and allow them to choose what role they would like to play.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online: Learning together in community. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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I like the idea of allowing the reluctant team member the chance to select the role they would like to play in the group. Sometimes one is reluctant to work with groups based on a bad experience.If they see a good model of group work, their reluctance may dissipate.
ReplyDeleteYes, there have been many bad memories of group project because of one or two group members who would not pull their weight. However, group projects do allow us to learn from others and also see different points of view which in turn can be learning moments.
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