Using peer evaluations and teams in online classes

Students should have the ability to work together in teams, plan effective strategies for identifying appropriate issues within specific problem situations, research the answers to the associated technical questions presented by those situations, and develop the ability to review and comment on the solutions of others working on the same types of problems. Structuring online classes to address these issues effectively can be challenging for the instructor. This paper will discuss the use of peer evaluations and teams in online classes. The paper involves two upper-level undergraduate courses, using a combination of teams and peer evaluations. The paper discusses the pros and cons of administering a team-based case-study course via the Internet. The innovative aspect of this case study method is the unique use of teams to analyze and critique other team members before the instructor ever participates. The paper also discusses the pros and cons of peer evaluations online.