Web-based discussion and assessment

Discipline Area

Law - succession law

Key assessment issue addressed

Online assessment. Group work - but individual assessment. Deep level learning.

The initiative

Groups of 6 students are required to discuss every two-week's material as provided in the study guide and set readings.

This assessment requires the students to read the material and then a nominated student from each group is expected to provide an initial precis and pose a question or make an observation intended to initiate discussion. This person is called the 'starter'. All students in the group are expected to contribute in the discussion for the two-week period and then another nominated student from each group will summarise the key points raised. This person is called the 'wrapper'.

At the end of each discussion period the initiating material and the summaries of each group are placed on the web site for the whole of the class to read.

Each student is assessed according to his or her individual contribution.

The reason for the initiative's effectiveness

This assessment allowed the students to become very familiar with the content of the material. Many students reported that the discussions caused them to continually re-acquaint themselves with the materials and so produced deep level understanding and learning.

Students could contribute at times that suited them.

Students learn to consider the opinions of others.

Further details

Lillian Corbin
Griffith University
Tel: 555 28809
Email: L.Corbin@mailbox.gu.edu.au