Since our educational system is individualistic in nature it is difficult to grade students collaboratively. George Siemens (Laureate Education, 2008) discussed a three pronged assessment model for a collaborative learning environment. Of the three prongs the one that causes the greatest concern for me is peer assessment, not because I think it is unfair, rather because most students do not know how to assess their peers. Our individualistic educational system does not value peer assessment and as a result our students do not know how to assess their peers. When asked to perform a peer assessment they let their personal feelings about the other student color their assessment or feel they cannot say “anything bad” so give the other person fluff. I do think peer assessment is a valuable part of assessment in a collaborative environment but we need to help our students understand how powerful critique is and how best to complete it.
Networking and collaboration in a learning community is important for the growth of all students. A collaborative environment relies on each person working toward the common goal. The instructor is responsible for facilitating the learning community; students also have the responsibility to make the learning community happen (Palloff & Pratt, 2007). When someone does not contribute it affects the other students. When students do not contribute, the role of the instructor would depend on the academic level of the students. Younger students will need more contact and guidance from the instructor to get back on track. Older students should be able to contact the group again on their own, however, in some situations the instructor may need to intervene if the disassociation continues over an extended time period.
Palloff, R.M. & Pratt, K. (2007). Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Assessment of Collaborative Learning [Video program]. Available from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5260640&Survey=1&47=7338982&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
I believe in America that we are learning to work as unit instead of an indivdual because roads are not build the same anymore. It is collaboration of team work.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right we are learning but it is very easy to slip into old habits. It is important we think about how we educate our children so they do not have the same handicap we do. The millennial learners need to be shown how technology can help them academically as well as personally.
ReplyDelete