Assessing Team-Based Capstone Projects: Challenges and Recommendations

Abstract

Team-based capstone projects are vital in preparing computer science students for real-world challenges by fostering teamwork, communication, and industry-relevant technical skills. However, their assessment presents challenges, such as aligning academic criteria with other stakeholders' expectations, evaluating individual contributions within teams, fairly addressing the diverse skills required, and determining the appropriate level of external partners' involvement in the evaluation process. Moreover, the high stakes of these projects necessitate transparent and equitable assessment methods that all stakeholders perceive as fair. Our working group (WG) aims to address the challenges of assessing capstone projects by examining the perspectives of instructors, students, and other stakeholders to ensure fair and effective evaluation. Building on insights from our previous WG and a comprehensive review of the literature, we will employ a mixed-methods approach to explore the issues faced by various stakeholders in assessing capstone projects and to capture both common challenges experienced (quantitative), and delve into nuanced individual experiences (qualitative). By conducting this research in a multi-national, multi-institutional context, we aim to capture a diverse range of global perspectives while accounting for the variation in capstone courses. Our goal is to provide actionable recommendations that enhance assessment practices, improve learning outcomes, and foster effective team collaboration in team-based capstone courses, ultimately preparing students for real-world challenges.