What do you think? Developing peer evaluation and review projects using tools you already have.

Concurrent Session 9

Brief Abstract

Peer evaluation and review.  You know you want to do it, but how?  In this session we will showcase how to create peer review and evaluation projects using a survey and a spreadsheet tool. You will walk away with examples to help you get started with your own project.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Rebecca Lindsay, Utah Valley University

Rebecca Lindsay is an Instructional Designer in the Office of Teaching and Learning at Utah Valley University. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and a Master's degree from Utah State University--both in History. She has more than 15 years of teaching experience, having developed and taught face-to-face, technology-enhanced and online courses. She is passionate about developing courses that faculty are proud to teach, and in which students will succeed.

Co-presenter: Janel Mitchell, Utah Valley University

Co-presenter: Tana Esplin, Utah Valley University

Extended Abstract

We know that peer interaction is integral for having engaging courses.  We often ask students to participate in group projects.  We want students to peer review each other. Sometimes the peer review tools work well.  More often, they won’t perform how we want them to work.  How often do we ask students to evaluate their peers?  Peer evaluation can identify the strengths and weaknesses within a group dynamic.  Peer evaluation can also motivate group members to do better.  Additionally, peer evaluation can help faculty identify problems within groups.  But how do you create peer evaluation and peer review tools from scratch, using only what is available in your toolbox?  We were approached by many faculty who wanted such tools.  Instead of looking for an out-of-the-box solution, we looked at the tools that were available to us and created basic and complex peer evaluation and review projects using Google Forms and Sheets, Microsoft Forms and Excel, and Qualtrics.   

In this presentation, we will discuss why using peer reviews and evaluations can help individuals, groups and group projects be more successful.  We will explain examples that implemented peer evaluation and review:

  • For an Organizational Behavior class, we developed a tool that allowed peers within a group to evaluate and assign a grade to each member.  Group members were asked to provide constructive feedback for each member of their group. Group members were able to see the feedback and the grade. The instructor used the tool several times throughout the semester.
  • For a Master’s level Technology Management course, we were looking for a peer review tool that would afford clear, easy access and management while controlling for FERPA laws. For this course, students selected their project around a problem or area of improvement from their work-life. Each student’s project was assigned a code name used for submission and review. Students had three opportunities to share their projects over the semester and were required to provide peer review for ALL students. The feedback from the peer reviews were incorporated into their final drafts. Being able to see other student’s work and to provide thoughtful constructive feedback is an important part of the learning process for this course. It promoted meaningful dialog, useful comparison, and powerful learning.
  • For a Russian Literature class, students were required to evaluate two of their peer’s Travelogue assignments.  Students reviewed the Travelogues twice during a semester.  The peer review tool inside of Canvas was not sufficient.  Students needed to evaluate the projects and the results needed to be sent to both the author of the Travelogue and the instructor.  We developed a peer evaluation tool that incorporated a rubric and guided questions to facilitate constructive feedback.  The results and the feedback were returned to the authors so they could improve their writing, and submitted to the instructor for grading. 

As part of the presentation, you will test drive a sample peer evaluation tool and see the results immediately.  We will show how you can use a survey tool and a spreadsheet tool to create simple evaluation or review projects.  We will discuss the logic and pitfalls to creating these types of projects. And as a participant in the presentation, you will walk away with templates that you can use to develop your own peer review and peer evaluation projects.