An evaluation of a group project designed to reduce free-riding and promote active learning

Abstract

Group projects are recognised as effective means of engaging students with work-related skills and promoting cooperative learning. This paper reports findings of a small survey – a group project designed to reduce problems associated with the process of production of group goods and services: free-riding and monitoring participation level. The survey elicits information on students’ perception of the group project, random group membership and intra-group random selection of presenters of their group report. A compilation of summary statistics of the survey data shows that the design and evaluation of the project helped to reduce free-riding and incentivised students to monitor the group members’ level of commitment to the project as well as their understanding of the assignment.

Keywords:

• group work
• free-riding
• random selection
• participation
• presentation

Notes

1. The USA, the UK, France, and Germany are the four largest international student-receiving countries, in that order, accounting for 61% of global international student mobility.

2. It was announced in the class that students suffering from any form of disability which affects their ability undertake any component of the project should contact their disability tutor.