Evaluating individuals in team projects

Abstract

In 1999, most computer science students participate in at least one group project in some class prior to graduation. However, assessing individual student contributions to a group project is a difficult task faced by instructors of these classes. In this paper, we have compiled a wide range of assessment instruments, and identified situations where they can be effective. This paper is a compilation of potential evaluation strategies. No comparison is made among the many strategies nor are particular techniques ranked above or below others. The goal is simply to provide a wide range of potential team evaluation techniques. Since each technique evaluates a particular characteristic and different team project courses have different goals it is up to the instructor to choose the techniques that best evaluate the individual in light of the course goals.

Enhancement of Experiential Learning in Software Factory Project-Based Course

“…According to McGourty et al (1998): "In a cooperative learning environment, students themselves are often in the best position to provide one another with meaningful feedback regarding both their technical and interpersonal performance." A number of peer assessment tools and advised reducing the possibility of a student intentionally "damaging" his or her peers' scores and ensuring that students do not feel that they are "ratting" on their peers (McGourty et al, 1998;Nicole, Pamela, & Rebecca, 2005;Wilkins et al, 2000). In the SWF course, students are required to fill out a form to report aspects of their team members' contribution and behaviour characteristics.…”

On the Impact of Grading on Teamwork Quality in a Software Engineering Capstone Course

“…In that respect, some authors have criticized the effectiveness of peer assessments [40], arguing that groups may collude to share marks, either as a self-reward or to penalize a single team member [41]. Wilkins and Lawhed [42] found the same issue, and they conclude their work recommending either using peer assessment complemented with other evaluation techniques or involving the teaching staff in supervising peer assessments. Chen et al [43] also showed that the evaluation of software engineering projects should consider several factors such as attendance, team presentation, product, and peer assessment.…”

A collaborative GIS programming course using GitHub Classroom

“…Requiring students to be part of the formal assessment procedure may not only deal with the problem of free-riders (Albanese & van Fleet, 1985), who do not work as responsibly as other members of a group yet receive the same grades, but also show a positive impact on students' learning through feedback (Ng, 2012), and also help instructors to clarify assessment objectives and purposes, criteria, and marking scales (Topping, 1998). On the other hand, personal relationships, the presence of leaders, and gender and racial biases may not produce a fair assessment (Wang & Zhang, 2020;Wilkins & Lawhead, 2000).…”