Lesley May
Abstract below...
This research is an investigation into the attitudes of
computing students at UCLan towards peer assessment. Peer assessment is the process of learners
providing marks and/or feedback to other learners (Gielen et al. 2010:305)and
can help students improve understanding of future assignment criteria (Strijbos
& slujsmans, 2010).
As part of the assessment of a first year computing module, students were required to review their own work and the work of their peers using rubrics, with the intention of developing reflective skills and deepening their engagement with learning (Ngar-Fun & Carless, 2006:281). This offers additional learning opportunities as students can reflect on the work they have completed and put it into perspective against the work of their peers, as well as sharing knowledge and insight into each topic with their peers.
This research involved an analysis of the peer- and
self-reviews submitted by students, to try to identify if the students
understood what was of expected of them.
This was achieved by assessing the consistency of marks to feedback
provided and to categorise the feedback depending if it was deemed
developmental, offering encouragement or justification of fairness (Lizzio
& Wilson, 2008:264).
A survey was then conducted with the same participants to
gain an insight into their understanding about assessment before and after the
peer reviews had been conducted, how comfortable they felt being assessed by
and assessing their peers and asking for suggestions for improvements to the
process.
Full analysis is not yet complete, but early indications are
that students are aware of and understand the value of conducting peer- and
self-assessments as part of their learning and are largely happy to engage in
the process.
Gielen,
S, Peeters, E, Dochy, F, Onghena, P, & Struyven, K 2010, Improving the
Effectiveness of Peer Feedback for Learning, Learning And Instruction,
20, 4, pp. 304-315.
Lizzio,
A. & Wilson, K. 2008, Feedback on Assessment: Students' Perceptions of
Quality and Effectiveness, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, vol.
33, no. 3, pp. 263-275.
Ngar-Fun,
L, & Carless, D 2006, Peer feedback: the learning element of peer
assessment, Teaching In Higher Education, 11, 3, pp. 279-290.
Strijbos,
J, & Sluijsmans, D 2010, Unravelling peer assessment: Methodological,
functional, and conceptual developments, Learning And Instruction, 20,
4, pp. 265-269.
