New Peer Evaluation Program Aids SIE Student Development

The inner workings and success of a student team can be more complex than a final grade on an assignment. Time management, teammate interaction and sufficient training can impact the project’s outcome as well as the team’s continued interest in their field.

To identify unseen problems and facilitate strong teamwork, leaders in the College of Engineering Interdisciplinary Capstone program introduced the CATME Peer Evaluation assessment this semester for all mentors and students. CATME – also known as the Comprehensive Assessment of Team Member Effectiveness – allows users to confidentially rate each other’s work, keep the team on track, and benefit from behavioral team training.

Systems engineering undergraduate Navin Attanayake identified a learning curve with CATME. However, as the year progressed, his team found the tool easier to use, and he appreciated the inclusion of questions about both academic performance and team dynamics, part of CATME’s “Whole Person” concept.

“By understanding how my team members view both my academic and social contributions, it helps me see where I am doing well and where I can improve,” Attanayake said. “Our team is incredibly close, and I believe that has contributed to the overall success of our project.”

Learn more about how the CATME peer evaluation program benefits engineering students here.