MAILING LISTS

I've watched the recent discussion about altering the teams after the departure of individuals from a course. I have a related, but different question for the list. How might we think about adjusting the peer evaluation process after the departure of a team member? This seems especially difficult when using the peer evaluation scores a group score multiplier. 

Here is an example: 

Imagine a team that earned a score of 80 out of 100 on a recent project, but one of the five students has not devoted much effort to the course and project. 

When the five students submit their peer evaluations, the scores for the low-effort individual sum to 80 while the scores of the other four team members sum to 105. In such a world, I would adjust the scores to become .8*80 = 64 points for the low-effort individual and 1.05*80 = 84 for the other fours students. 

However, now imagine that the low-effort student drops the course. When the remaining four individuals evaluate each other they might give each other scores of 100, which means each score is now 1*80 = 80. These students have lower scores than they would have had the fifth teammate stayed in the course! 

Are there resources describing this that I've missed? Can anyone suggest an alternative? Has anyone had to deal with similar issues? How have you talked with students about it? 

Thanks, 


Aaron Swoboda 
Economics and Environmental Studies 
Carleton College 
One North College St 
Northfield MN 55057