Measuring the effectiveness of individual assessment methods in collaborative/ cooperative activity in online teaching

Abstract

Assessment of collaborative activities comprises two important elements: group assessment and individual assessment. This research study explores specific methods for assessing the individual students in online collaborative/cooperative activity and analyzes the efficiency in terms of student learning. An online collaborative activity based on the Student Groups Achievement Division (STAD) method has been planned and implemented for the undergraduate third semester Engineering students (n=71). The activity has been designed in such a way that the students perform the activity through the collaborative features of the Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as group projects and discussions. Group assessment is measured with discussions and group report writing while the individual assessment is measured through quizzes, tests and activity journals. The scores for the quiz and activity journal are taken into account to measure the student learning. These scores are compared against their performance scores in the summative examination. From the observations by comparing the scores, it is found that these strategies measure the individual learning effectively such that they fall in linear with the formal examination marks. Also, feedback is obtained from the students to ensure their satisfaction in individual assessment. Success index for the activity based on students’ feedback is calculated using weighted likert scale and found to be 0.811 (Ideal index =1) which is an appreciable score.