First, it encourages research on an issue related to course content and fosters information literacy. Second, the assignment requires students to compile information in a Web-based form that may be used by others. Finally, the project provides an opportunity to learn to work in groups. I provide a list of topics and have students rank the topics according to their interests, and then I place students into groups accordingly. Each student writes part of the overview and contributes a Web site link and a reference for future reading.
Students work together to assign each group member a sub-topic to research.
In addition, each student volunteers for tasks such as compiling information from group members for a project progress report or writing transitions among various parts of the topic overview. Students must specify the division of labor at the start of the project and give me a list of the tasks for which they are each responsible. This assignment presents several challenges. The instructor must consider how to overcome resistance to technology through group work, foster student skills in critically evaluating Web resources, and deal with problems in grading collaborative projects. I ending up messing things up and then I feel dumb.