Collaborative Assessment That Supports Learning

Abstract

This chapter is a resource for STEM instructors interested in implementing a successful collaborative approach to assessment, specifically two-stage collaborative tests. This assessment format is in line with Active Learning in the classroom, promotes learning, and is popular with instructors and students alike. We present the detailed implementation of two-stage collaborative tests along with a brief overview of research on its advantages and disadvantages. Students’ reactions to this assessment format, based on surveys and classroom observations, are analyzed and discussed. Data from a large-enrollment introductory physics class indicates that a vast majority of students holds a positive view, while only 10 percent of students expressed a negative view.