What is Group Assessment?

Group assessment measures individual achievement of learning outcomes within a group setting, either face-to-face or online. It can take different forms: 

• Individual work combined into a group product 
• Group collaboration with individual outputs 
• Group collaboration with a single shared product 

Group assessment is different from group work. Use it only when the learning outcomes require skills like teamwork, communication, or collaborative project work. The Academic Centre recommends avoiding group assessment unless required in the Programme Approval Document (PAD), as it is complex to design and mark. 

Designing Group Assessments 

Group assessments must: 

• Match the course level and learning outcomes 
• Enable collaboration while allowing individual contributions 
• Provide fair, valid, transparent and consistent assessment 
• Include a structure that clearly shows what each student is responsible for 

Use tools like Canvas, Microsoft Teams, or discussion forums to track and record contributions. Mark allocation should reflect learning outcomes, not just group effort. 

Quality Assurance 

Moderate group assessments carefully. They must: 

• Fit the course’s overall assessment plan 
• Align with good practice and compliance standards 
• Be clearly approved in the PAD 
• Ensure individual students are not disadvantaged by group dynamics 

Assessment Structure and Evidence 

Clearly explain: 

• Why group assessment is being used 
• Conditions, instructions, and roles for group members 
• How each student will be individually assessed 

Each student must provide evidence of their contribution. Examples of acceptable evidence include: 

• Group presentation videos 
• Individual reflection or self-assessment 
• Group meeting notes or minutes 
• Assessor notes from observations or interviews 
• Individual contribution forms 

Use a rubric to communicate assessment criteria. 

Potential Issues in Group Assessment Design 

• Each student must meet all learning outcomes (LOs): You cannot split LOs between students. Every student must show evidence of achieving every LO. 
• Mark individual contributions: Do not let one student’s lack of input unfairly affect the group mark. Even if a group produces a shared final product, each student must be assessed on what they personally contributed. 
• Check weight and group size: A 30% group assessment with 3 students is not the same as a 60% group assessment with 5 students. Larger groups and higher weightings require more time, depth, and complexity. 
• Avoid single group marks: A shared mark for all group members does not prove that each student achieved the learning outcomes. 
• Support for ineffective groups: Include clear guidance in the assessment instructions explaining how individual contributions will be measured if the group does not function well. 
• Evidence matters: Presentations or group write-ups are not enough. You need clear evidence of: 
  • Individual contributions 
  • Group planning and discussion 
  • Teamwork and communication 
    • Use tools like meeting minutes, contribution forms, observation notes, or interviews.