A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of facilitating a professional learning workshop on group assessment design for a group of academics at the University of Wollongong. It was inspiring to see how passionate and enthusiastic our educators are about enhancing student learning, particularly in the design and implementation of assessments. Our discussion couldn’t have been more timely, given the growing concerns about GenAI’s impact on academic integrity and the validity of the assessments. The insights shared by these dedicated individuals have inspired me to write this post.
Group assessments can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they offer students the opportunity to collaborate, learn from one another, and tackle complex tasks that would be difficult to achieve individually. On the other hand, they can lead to frustration, unequal work distribution, and conflicts between peers that undermine the learning experience. As educators, our challenge is to design group assessments that are not only fair and functional but also enriching for every student involved. But how can we overcome this challenge? I chose ‘functional’ purposefully as a reasonable alternative to effective because I find ‘effective’ vague and difficult to measure in this context.
Having been an educator for over two and a half decades, I’ve seen firsthand the potential of group assessments to transform learning—when they are done right. The following guidelines are not exhaustive, but they are my favourites for making a group assessments truly functional.
Set clear objectives and outcomes
The success of any group assessment begins with clear communication. From day one, students need to understand the purpose of the task and the specific outcomes expected. Clearly explain what you want students to do and why you want them to do it. When students understand how the task will contribute to their learning and/or future practice, they are more likely to put in greater effort.
Design meaningful and engaging tasks
Choose assessment tasks that spark curiosity and interest in your students. Make sure the tasks are directly related to the learning outcomes and course content. Effective group tasks often mimic real-world scenarios where teamwork is essential—projects that require research, critical thinking, and problem-solving. This approach makes the task challenging enough to require group collaboration, while also ensuring it is authentic, meaningful, and engaging.
Provide clear marking guidelines
Ensure students are equipped with detailed assessment criteria and comprehensive rubrics that clearly outline how their performance will be evaluated. Transparency in grading not only helps students understand what is required but also empowers them to focus their efforts strategically, aiming for excellence in each aspect of the assessment. Additionally, consider providing examples of past high-quality work to illustrate what success looks like.
Ensure individual accountability
One of the most common concerns with group assessments is the potential for unequal contributions. To address this, consider using a combination of group and individual assessments. For example, while the group might submit a joint project, each student could also be required to submit a personal reflection or participate in peer evaluations where students assess each other’s contributions. Allocating a portion of the group task’s marks to these individual components can improve fairness and equity in the assessment.
Well-defined roles and responsibilities
It’s crucial to help students identify clear roles and responsibilities within their group. One way to achieve this is by having students define these roles as soon as the groups are formed. Encourage them to assign specific roles, based on each member’s strengths and interests. Additionally, have them agree on communication channels, set key milestones, and establish timelines for the task. This proactive approach not only helps in organising the group’s efforts but also fosters accountability, ensuring that every member contributes meaningfully to the project.
Scaffold and support
Regular check-ins are crucial to the success of group assessments. Provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the assessment process, including scheduled check-ins, feedback sessions, and access to resources. These check-ins can be integrated into tutorials at key points during the semester, where you can offer feedback, address concerns, and provide additional support as needed. This scaffolding helps keep students on track, ensures that any issues are promptly addressed, and enhances the overall effectiveness of the group assessment.
Again, many experts in the field have emphasised the critical role of group assessments in preparing students for today’s workforce. When conducted correctly, they can help students develop a range of essential skills, such as communication, task delegation, and teamwork. These skills are crucial not only for academic success but also for their future professional lives. Therefore, as educators, we must strive to make group assessments functional.
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