This is probably the easiest method to use, but can also be the most unfair. By simply assessing the final product and assigning each student on the team the same grade, you assume each student contributed equally (or close to it). For small team assignments that might be completed in pairs, this can work fine. But for large, complex assignments with teams of 3 or more, this system might award a ‘slacker’ and punish a high performer. In some instances, instructors might believe this most closely resembles industry or the environment the student will work in upon completion of College. This might be a good reason in specific courses (for instance, maybe a design course that involves creating a prototype), but should not simply be a generic reason for assessing teams in this way.
Advantages:
- easy to assess (single grade).
- Can work well for short, small assignments where students are in pairs.
Disadvantages:
- ‘slackers’ can fall through the cracks and still receive a good grade.
- High-performers can be punished if the rest of the team underachieves.