Managing Group Projects and Assignments in Large Classes

W. Britt Leatham

CSUSB

Managing Group Projects and Assignments in Large Classes

an example from an upper-division general education natural science

Integrative Capstone (NSCI 360--Legacy of Life)

Available Resources

• University funded by FTES

• Effective “WTU’s” because of FTES

Available ResourcesAvailable Resources

• Breakeven at 28:1 SFR• One, five quarter-unit lecture/seminar

class of 300 provides about 50 WTUS, which is more than one professor’s full academic year WTU commitment (=salary), at about one/seventh of the cost.

Resource AssessmentResource Assessment

Large classes require more time

Resource AssessmentResource Assessment

Typical overhead low on standard “stand-and-deliver

courses”

Resource AssessmentResource Assessment

Course costs typically limited to:– syllabus, exam duplication– 600+1500+1500=3600 copiesTOTAL DUPLICATING COST $72 to $180

GraderGrader

Reasonable request:– 5 to 10 hrs/wk for a ten-week quarter

Approximate Course Cost:

$250 to $500

Grader

Duties and requirements:– grade entry and bookkeeping– exam-proctoring– use scoring rubric for grading assignments

requiring minimal content expertise

Student Course Requirements

WITHOUT GRADER• 2-3 examinations,

usually multiple-choice, “scantron”

WITH GRADER• 2-3 examinations, usually

multiple-choice, “scantron”• writing and homework• term projects• extra credit

Group Projects• Provide small class

perspective • Provide in-depth research

opportunity of subject material not possible in lecture

• Develop skills in creativity, cooperative behavior; presentation, writing and design, and peer assessment.

NSCI 360 Group Projects• Illustrated Guide to the Biotic History,

Organisms, and Environment of any of the following geologic time intervals:

• Processes of Biological Change and Interpretation of the Biosphere and its origin.

Graphic Design

SculptingModeling

Content

Produce a multi-page illustrated menu for any two of the of the following eating

establishments:

– Precambrian Soup Plantation– Cambrian Cafe – Silurian Seaside Smorgasbord– Permian Curry House– Triassic Take-out– Cretaceous Kitchen – Eocene Eatery– TGIP (Thank goodness its Pleistocene)

Each restaurant capitalizes on food resources that were available during the respective time interval used as its theme. You may not use any modern foods, although you may use ancient food substitutes for modern materials. Use any books you feel necessary to complete the project, but make sure to document your source or it is plagiarism.

Each menu should include:a general overview of the unique history of the requisite time theme for each establishment. You will be penalized 25% if you simply report information, without using a typical restaurant style.

Each restaurant capitalizes on food resources that were available during the respective time interval used as its theme. You may not use any modern foods, although you may use ancient food substitutes for modern materials. Use any books you feel necessary to complete the project, but make sure to document your source or it is plagiarism.

A selection of 1) breakfast, 2) lunch, and 3) dinner entrees and meals, as well as desserts, appetizers, and drinks, and house specialties. Present your wares in the most appetizing ways possible, remembering that you must convince your customers that your food is the best available. The illustrations should help the diner identify those strange things that sometimes end-up in the soup. These illustrations must be accurate, hand drawn and colored. Points will be taken off for sloppy drawingsCost and tips? You decide….

Guided Peer Assessment

Evaluation Criteria– Content Level– Scholarly effort – Organization– Completeness – Neatness– Creativity– Overall Impression

Guided Peer Assessment• Each project and person assigned a number• Provide standard form and rubric• Individuals assess each group with rubric• Group members evaluate other group members with

rubric• Scores are reduced to A-E for scantron• One scantron for group eval, one for group

colleagues

Guided Peer Assessment

• Scores are tabulated by computer• Average group scores are computed for each

group and are weighted by using average intragroup individual scores.

• System ensures that those who work receive credit.

• System is generally fair and objective.