What Is the Michaelsen Point Distribution?

The first method is usually criticized for being "unfair" because weaker students get a better grade than "what they deserve" and those performer-students are at a disadvantage because they get dragged down by weaker students. It also encourages the "free rider" environment because the penalty for those students who do not work hard is shared among the team.

The second method is regarded as more equitable but is not always possible for teachers to assess all their students on an individual basis. It is difficult to observe each and every student in class during activities and assign a fair grade to all students. This method proves to be more difficult in digital classrooms as well. Alternatively, individual assessments are placed within the team where each team members assess the other's contributions. Adding the individual peer evaluation to the overall group scores is an obvious way to combine two outcomes.

In relation to the second method is the Michaelsen Point Distribution approach in peer evaluation. In essence, students get to distribute points for each member to assess their contributions in a team-based activity. How this works is that each team member will distribute different points for each team member. So for a team of 5 members, with each team member accorded 10 points, a teammate will have a total of 40 points to distribute (that's 5 members multiplied by 10, subtracted by the 10 points of the teammate-evaluator). The 10 points accorded to the student who will be evaluating their teammates are deducted from the points to distribute because they're not supposed to give points to themselves.

Here's Where You Can Find the Michaelsen Point Distribution