Evidence has shown that peer-reviewed assignments lead to better student performance and retention than traditional teaching models, while allowing instructors to spend less time on grading. In this session, you will hear about our experiences with peer-reviewed assignments and have an opportunity to participate in peer review!
Papers submitted to scientific journals for publication are sent to other scientists who are knowledgeable in the particular discipline for their review. This peer-review process ensures the research was performed appropriately and provides the authors useful feedback in producing a finalized published paper. Peer reviewers give valuable feedback on areas of the paper that could be improved, whether it’s in the research methods or writing style. Because of the peer-review process the quality of scientific journal articles is improved.
The peer-review process in the classroom setting is beneficial to the author of the assignment and those who are reviewing assignments. The writer receives potentially valuable feedback from multiple peers at their level of training who are working on the same assignment. Meanwhile, the reviewers have a chance to see the work others have done on the same assignment, which often causes students to recognize gaps in their own knowledge of the topic and discover mistakes they’ve made on their own draft.
Various (peer-reviewed) research studies have found associations of peer-reviewed assignments with higher-quality assignment submissions, a more positive opinion of their own writing skills, and a longer retention of material learned throughout the course, compared with traditional teaching models.
In this session, we’ll share with you evidence of the benefits of peer-review, share with you our experiences (both positive and negative) with peer-reviewed writing assignments and video presentations, both within the Canvas platform, as well as Peerceptiv, and online peer review application. After an introduction to Peerceptiv, you’ll have an opportunity to peer review the presentation!