Collaborative Learning

Assessment of online assignments has been an issue that several persons have been questioning for some time now. How do we know if the student did the work? How do you assess online group work? Should the score for members of the group be the same?
The days of one-man knows it all are over. The world is not as simple as it was 100 years ago. We are now challenged by complex problems which require teams of persons to resolve. Specialization and division of labour has been used in business to enhance productivity and the same thing must be applied to education. Group assignments can be assessed by ensuring that the group activity gives each member a chance to participate and to bring his knowledge and experiences to solve his part of the overal problem and to contribute meaningfully to the group activity. Each student should be awarded a mark with respect to his part of the problem and the contribution he/she made.

The instructor needs to educate the students on the importance and value of collaborative learning by citing known examples. The course can be so designed that group-work carries a good percentage of the final mark so students are encouraged to work in groups. It can be a good idea to have bonus marks for group-work but those marks wont apply to individual assignment. This will encourage students to participate in group activities.
The important thing about groupwork is making sure everyone works well and that those who work are rewarded. Most times instructors are unwilling to give the group a score if they dont see work from every member. This is unfair. If three out of four persons did their work, then there must a way to reward them else the system will be flawed. One member should not be allowed to retard the progress of others.