Eliminates some subjectivity. Encourages diversity of goals. May better meet individual needs. Disadvantages Quantity of work too often becomes the major criteria for grading. Quality of diverse types of projects is often very difficult to evaluate.
Teachers are often ambiguous in the criteria used.
The teacher decides the criteria for a passing grade or credit. Advantages Students are more relaxed and less anxious. Students are more free to take risks and explore. Some students learn more. Disadvantages Both students and instructors may do less work.