Trunk and branch: fostering autonomous peer supportive learning environments through delivery & assessment

INTRODUCTION Traditional grading often fails to capture the full spectrum of skills required in creative industries, focusing too heavily on individual achievement. This study introduces the ’trunk and branch’ approach, a hybrid assessment model designed to enhance student learning in collaborative programming environments.

METHODS The ’trunk’ represents collaborative group work where students work collaboratively and the ’branch’ is individual expansion on that work allowing for independent exploration. Thus, the approach reinforces both independent problem-solving and teamwork in a simulated industrial environment.

RESULTS Trunk and Branch was used during a first-year games programming module. Student engagement and learning outcomes were evaluated through student survey and staff observation. Survey results showed that students learned significantly from teamwork, 72% agreed it helped develop professional skills. The approach appeared to foster an interdependent collaborative learning community.

CONCLUSION The trunk and branch approach successfully integrates collaborative and individual learning, better preparing students for professional practice in creative industries. It reduces the grading burden on educators while maintaining high levels of student engagement and creativity. This model offers a promising framework for similar courses.