Last year, for the first time, I gave exams at the end of each cycle. It worked out OK, but it feels more class-like than I like. Anyway, here are three choices besides concocting your own test:
1) Have the groups choose their own items from the BSLOs (Behaviorally Stated Learning Objectives) in each section.
2) Use the short-answer tests I made up last year.
3) Use the multiple choice test I have used over the years (please do not let it circulate).
By the way, here's a scheme for simplifying ranking with so many participants:
When Formal Organization puts them into reading groups of 4 (or 5), have the reading groups formed into "leagues." This terminology was invented by our Formal group last semester, who gave the reading groups the names of baseball or hockey teams. Each league contains one person from each group, and that person becomes directly responsible for the learning of the other 11 members of the league - not for the whole division. Memos can also be read and graded within the league, so that no one has to rank 50 memos at a time and more people can learn from reading the memos each week.
A: a simplified grading system.
The current one is:
1 = memo submitted - a not so subtle way of saying 'needs lots of improvement' without giving '0';
2 = structure in place - again a comment on the depth/quality of the writing, and
3 = reflective memo in full.
This has some approximations to the SOLO taxonomy of learning so I have distributed a brief note on this to help them consider the kind of writing that is expected to achieve each level. This is an advance for Oz XB's where the very idea of 'grading/ranking' peers is often an anathema. Because of time limitations we do not have exams at all.
A: 440 -- Mid-Term
In this test I want you to be reflective, to integrate diverse facts to create a whole which tells me what you have learned. Narrative without reflection (integration of ideas) is insufficient.
What have you learned from each group?
How has each group contributing to your learning about OB/HRM?
What have you learned about creating an effective start-up organization?
What are trouble areas that you will anticipate? How will you address these?
What can each person in your group do to make your group more effective in the time remaining in the semester?
Assessment:
Mid-term 25%
Final 25%
Reading memos 20%
Group memos 20%
Attendance 10%