Benefits of combining individual and small group assessments as an instructional strategy

Assessment is an essential curricular component despite being often seen only as a performance metric resource. However, its full potential can be harnessed if it is used as a formative instrument. The present study evaluated the benefits of combining individual and group assessments. Students’ perceptions of this type of strategy, assessed through a Likert scale questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, showed that students acknowledge the benefits of this procedure. We then carried out a dual assessment in an active learning environment. Students were given individual written tests and completed the same test immediately after, but now in a group. The average group scores were higher than the average individual scores, even for students who scored the highest within a group. Put together, these results indicate combining individual and group assessments can be an effective teaching tool in addition to simply measuring student performance.