Editor,
David Cuneo raises some legitimate concerns in arguing that group projects may be unfair because those who do less work receive the same grade as those who shoulder most of the burden. Instructors assigning group work can deal with this problem in one of several ways.
Two grades can be assigned for group projects. The first grade can be issued for the entire group and then all members can issue a grade for all other members of the group based on their assessment of each member's contribution.
The instructor then has a method to determine and assess any inequality in performance. The instructor can also assign a student to report any unfairness in each group.
This method seems less effective as it relies on the judgment of one student in each group. The instructor can also hold informal conferences with all the groups and ask the members to discuss the performance of any slackers.
As a technical writing teacher, I've used all three methods. Usually students who suffer because of slackers are quite frank in their assessment of those who let them down.
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In the worst cases I've dropped or failed students who display such "attitude problems."
The answer to Cuneo's concerns lies not in policy change, however. Students who feel a group grade is unfair should first speak with the instructor about their concerns.
If the instructor fails to respond, then the students can address their grievance with the head of the program or department chairperson.
If either of these means prove insufficient, the student can file a grade challenge. The student handbook (Pathfinder) spells out this procedure on page 38 (Articles 1.2, 2.1-2.3.7).
James Burbank
UNM lecturer
