When it comes to distance learning the main portion of your grades are generated from collaboration. Let's think about it, when put side by side with a traditional classroom, assessing is conducted differently. In a traditional classroom, you have face to face meetings, group work, face to face discussions, and other methods. However, in a distance learning environment, collaboration is key and vital. WE are in an age where traditional assessments are out and newer, fresher, and more student oriented modes of learning and assessing are taking over.
According to Palloff and Pratt, collaboration is a form of constructivism in that the process promotes initiative, creativity, critical thinking skills, and dialogue on the part of the learners (2005). When collaboration takes place, individuals with various levels of experience and knowledge come together to share information. I like to look at it as each person is bringing a slice to the pie. Therefore, an instructor must measure or assess collaboration based on certain guidelines or requirements.
This can be done in the form of criteria or guidelines. On way in which I have seen this done is in the form of a rubric. With this, individuals know what is expected of them and work to satisfy those guidelines. Therefore, fairness and consistency is not questioned.
If it comes a time when a group member does not want to participate or actively engage themselves in the learning community, it is the responsibility of the other group members to rally together to get the task completed. In essence, when one quits, the team must go on to get the job done. The instructor needs to be notified of the plan sought out by the group and the assurance that the assignment will be completed. The decision to deal with the group member who does not participate, will lie solely in the hands of the instructor.
References:
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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Rubrics are always a good idea. They let the student know what is expected of them and keeps them on track. Collaboration is important in any classroom, whether it is in a traditional or online setting. Students have the opportunity to interact and branch off each other's ideas.
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