Many instructors recognize the value of having students work collaboratively on team-based assignments. Not only is it possible for students to experience a greater understanding of the subject material, but several life-long learning skills can be gained through active engagement with team members. Managing team-based assignments, however, is not something most instructors look forward to; the administrative tasks can be quite cumbersome, especially with large classes. Thankfully there is a tool to help with this process: CATME.

CATME, which stands for ‘Comprehensive Assessment of Team Member Effectiveness,’ is a free set of tools designed to help instructors manage group work and team assignments more effectively. It was developed by a diverse group of professors with extensive teaching experience, as well as researchers and students. First released in 2005, CATME takes away much of the administrative burden that instructors face when trying to organize and manage teams, communicate with students, and facilitate effective peer evaluation.

‘Team Maker,’ one of two main parts of CATME, assists with the team creation process. First, it allows instructors to easily create and send a survey to students. The survey collects various demographic data, previously completed coursework, and student availability information. Instructors can also add their own questions to the survey if desired. Once the data are collected, instructors decide which criteria will be used to create the teams and then assign weights to each of the criterion. Team Maker then uses the weights in an algorithm to create the teams.  Instructors are free to adjust the teams, if necessary, to their satisfaction. Once the teams are finalized, the instructor releases the results to students, who are provided with their team members’ names, email addresses, and a schedule matrix showing member availability.

‘Peer Evaluation,’ the other core component of CATME, is used by students to evaluate their teammates’ performance as well as their own.  The web-based ratings page is presented on one screen, making it easy to fill out and submit results. Students select from a set of behaviors which most closely describes themselves and their peers. There is also a place where students can include confidential comments which are only seen by the instructor.  Once completed, instructors can decide when to release the evaluation results to students. Peer ratings appear anonymous to students but are identified for instructors.

Another tool included in CATEME is the ‘Rater Calibration’ tool, which helps train students in the peer evaluation process. Students are asked to rate a series of fictional team members and then receive feedback about their ratings. Other tools include the ‘Student Team Training’ tool, designed to help students recognize effective team behaviors, and the ‘Meeting Support’ tool, which provides templates that students can use to plan and organize meetings, such as writing a team charter, taking minutes, etc.

To view a video demo of CATME and learn more about the product, visit the CATME website. Instructors interested in using CATME can go to https://www.catme.org/login/request to register for an account.

Amy Brusini, Course Management Training Specialist Center for Educational Resources

Image Source: CATME logo from http://info.catme.org/