Fostering teamwork skills across the School of Engineering using online self and peer assessment

Teamwork skills have been a recognised key employability attribute in university graduates for at least the last two decades, as analysed by Curtis and McKenzie (2002) and continue to be a significant key selection criterion of many Australian employers (Graduate Outlook, 2014). This paper outlines the implementation process, learning and future directions associated with the use of an online self and peer assessment strategy, aimed to develop teamwork skills in engineering students, at Deakin University. Initially student feedback from a pilot study was used to inform and justify a three-year trial of the strategy. Then consideration was given to the professional development needs of academics to support and foster the teaching and assessment of teamwork skills in the school. Into the future, teamwork skill development depends upon the evaluation of course learning outcomes and development of minimum standard descriptors of teamwork skills across all year levels.