Peer assessment is a collaborative and empowering approach to evaluation in education. It allows students to assess each other’s work, fostering critical thinking, accountability, and community in the classroom. By providing feedback to their peers, students not only reinforce their own learning, but also gain new perspectives on the subject matter. Here, we’ll explore three diverse examples of peer assessment methods that can be easily implemented in various educational settings.
In this method, students engage in a structured peer review process using journals. Ideal for writing courses or any subject where written expression is key, this approach encourages students to reflect on their own work and that of their classmates.
Students are paired or grouped and exchange their journals, which contain drafts of essays or reports. Each student reads their peer’s work and provides constructive feedback based on a rubric that outlines key areas to assess, such as clarity, argument strength, and grammar. After receiving feedback, students revise their own drafts, taking into account the insights they gained.
This method not only improves writing skills but also teaches students to give and receive constructive criticism effectively.
Notes: This can be adapted for online classrooms by using shared documents or forums where students can post their work for feedback.
Group projects are a fantastic way to encourage collaboration, but assessing individual contributions can be challenging. By incorporating peer evaluation forms, educators can gain insight into each student’s participation and teamwork skills.
In this approach, students work in small groups on a project, such as a presentation or research paper. At the end of the project, each student fills out a peer evaluation form rating their group members on various criteria, such as contribution to the project, communication skills, and teamwork. The results are then compiled, and students receive feedback based on their peers’ assessments.
This method fosters accountability and encourages students to actively engage with their group, knowing their contributions will be evaluated.
Variations: You can customize the evaluation form to include open-ended questions for more qualitative feedback.
A gallery walk is a dynamic and interactive peer assessment method that transforms the classroom into a creative exhibition space. This method is especially effective for visual projects, art classes, or any subject where students can visually represent their ideas.
In this setup, students display their projects or work on the walls of the classroom. Each student then walks around, viewing their classmates’ work. At each station, they leave feedback on sticky notes or a digital platform, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement. After the gallery walk, students can reflect on the feedback they received and consider it for future projects.
This approach not only promotes engagement but also encourages students to learn from each other’s work in a fun and informal setting.
Notes: This can easily be adapted for online classes by using virtual bulletin boards like Padlet or Google Jamboard.