Page 33 - SBA Handbook 2020 - FINAL

Peer Assessment

Peer assessment involves students taking the responsibility of assessing their peers’ work
against a set of criteria. It engages students in the learning process and develops their capacity
to reflect on, and critically evaluate their own learning and skill development. It supports the
development of critical thinking, interpersonal and other skills, as well as enhances
understanding within the field of knowledge of a discipline.

Peer and group assessment are also often undertaken together. Typically, the members of a
group assess the performance of their peers in terms of their contribution to the group's work.

Peer assessment is useful in formative assessments (formal, informal, traditional, authentic),
group works, pair works, and class projects. The concerns associated with peer assessment
can be resolved with academic moderation, careful student group formulation and the
provision of clear guidance and criteria, which will reduce or prevent their exposure to
inconsistencies in peer assessment.

Advantages of Peer-Assessment

1. Peer assessment can promote a sense of fairness in the context of assessing group
work tasks. It illuminates individual contributions and encourages greater
commitment to the group's effort.

2. With formalized peer assessment processes, students can become more active agents

in assessment procedures. They can also gain insight into the complexities of
interpreting and grading evidence of learning. Students will therefore "feel ownership”
of the assessment (and learning) process rather than alienated or victimized by it.

3. It helps students to become reflective practitioners and to develop critical thinking and

metacognitive skills.

4. It empowers students to be more responsible in directing and managing their own
learning.

5. It empowers students to promote fair judgment and critical thinking when evaluating
the work of co-learners.

6. It motivates students to learn with others, and from critical appraisals received from
others.

7. It encourages deep-learning, and motivates students to be more engaged.

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