Assessments

Siemens states that we are doing more things in teams and small groups. Therefore giving learners individual grades doesn’t fit the learning model (Laureate, 2008 a). When I have done group activities with my students, I had the students rate one another’s activities, just as Siemens suggested. In addition, Siemens (2008 a) suggests using learner’s feedback, and instructor can assess student contribution. I always have a problem being assessed in a group because I fear that someone will not do their part. Siemens (2008 a) challenges the assessing by marks and discusses assessing by improvement. Does a student who grows more in their learning deserve a higher grade than a student who doesn’t grow as much?

I am one of those students who do not like a collaborative learning community. I like to do my own work and earning my own grade. Siemens (2008 b) said the instructor can change the assessment model so the learner will know what they contribute will be assessed. In addition, he said to have the students participate in a survival task. This will give them some exposure to teamwork environment. Siemens said make sure the learner does understand that his/her grade will be based on what he/she contributes. These safeguards would help me feel better about contributing to a learning community. I do worry that there will be a member that will not pull his/her weight and I can’t control the motivation of other students.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008 a). Principles of distance education: Assessment of collaborative learning featuring George Siemens [DVD]. United States: Walden University.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008 b). Principles of distance education: Learning communities featuring George Siemens [DVD]. United States: Walden University.