Marc Turner asked about handling group projects.
The system I use isn't perfect, but it's much better than how I used to
do it. =)
First, I don't attempt group projects until the latter half of the
semester. The class roster is usually pretty stable by then, which
eliminates attrition in the groups.
Over those last 8 weeks, I require 4 progress reports, each requiring
something different. For instance the first one asks for their project
ideas, and the second asks for a bibliography and a list of
responsibilities for each member. With their progress reports, the
group must also turn in log sheets. Each one is a record of a group
meeting (who attended and how long did they stay, who was absent and
why, goal of the project -- keeps them focused, what was accomplished in
the meeting). I explain that accurate log sheets are a necessity since
at the end of the semester, the *group* will decide how the points will
be divided.
How does the group decide? Any way they'd like, but all members have to
sign off on it. If there are 5 group members and they all contributed
equally, then the group assigns 20% of the total points to each person.
For a group of 5 who scored 100 points on the project, 500 points are
available to the group, and 20% of 500 is 100, so each person earns 100
points. If one person slacked off, as evidenced by their lack of
attendance at the group meetings, then that person may be granted 16% of
the grade, and the other 4 get 21%. The key is that *as a group* they
must decide that; I tried the averaging and ended up with part of a
group coming to me complaining that one of them was unfairly assessed by
another group member, and they knew by whom and why-- not a pretty
sight.
Currently the assignment of percentages doesn't happen in my presence,
but now that I think about it, it might not be a bad idea for me to sit
down with the group with log sheets and progress reports in hand and
help the group figure out how to assign percentages.
Btw, I've also set aside a class day to meet with the groups. Hopefully
I'm able to catch any glaring problems then.
If you'd like to know specifically how I work all this, check out the
group project portion of my Human Sexuality syllabus at
http://web.nmsu.edu/~sfrantz/syllabi/263spec.htm#PROJECT
I'm anxious to hear how others do this -- still looking for better
ways...
Sue
--
Sue Frantz, Asst Prof of Psych [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Faculty Office Bldg, 2400 Scenic Drive Office: (505)439-3752
New Mexico State Univ. - Alamogordo Fax: (505)439-3802
Alamogordo, NM 88310 USA http://web.nmsu.edu/~sfrantz
