Module-3 Assessing Collaborative Efforts

Blog-post module 3
Assessing Collaborative Efforts

Participation efforts, through collaboration and through different models of distance education are the subjects of this blog.

Siemens suggests ratings schemes, designing open collaborative communities in which students and experts can discuss and evaluate through direct feedback, and using wikis, (Laureate education, 2010). According to Siemens, assessment should be fair and direct, based on outcomes, and equitable based on achievement levels. Siemens suggests not only should assessment assess the student but the instructor as well. According to Thomas Guskey a blogger I researched, “To use assessments to improve instruction and student learning, teachers need to change their approach to assessments in three important ways: make assessments useful for students, follow assessments with corrective instruction
and give second chances to demonstrate success, (2010) .

This is fine but what does an instructor do with a non-participatory student? According to Palloff and Pratt, “…stay abreast of developments within the group and to act decisively and quickly when necessary,” (2007, pp.65). Research suggests not to worry if a student does not want to participate, network or collaborate. The student could be lurking or observing to see how the interaction takes place, (Siemens, 2010). In most cases it is necessary to have a team charter, an opening exercise to get the team dynamic in place and in this manner the team can learn trust. If any issues occur the charter can be consulted, the repercussion should be listed in the charter and hopefully any resolution can be handled within the group. If necessary the instructor can be contacted and refer to the charter and if necessary the class rubric can be the deciding factor to resolve the dispute.
 
References

Guskey, T. (2010, July, 13) How classroom assessments improve learning. [web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.laureateandlatte.com/

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Distance Education: Learning communities featuring Dr. George Siemens [DVD]. United States: Walden University.

Palloff, R. M. and Pratt, K. (2007) Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. (2nd ed.) (pp. 25-65). San Francisco CA: Jossey-Bass.