Creating a Learning Environment by Using Self-, Peer-, and Co-Assessment.

Abstract

To develop the skills and competencies required in professional organisations, students have to reflect on their own behaviour. Many current assessment practices in higher education do not answer this need. The recent interest in new assessment forms, such as self-, peer-, and co-assessment, can be seen as a means to tackle this problem. In the present article, a review of the literature provides answers to two questions: (1) How are self-, peer- and co-assessment applied in higher education? and (2) What are the effects of the use of these forms of assessment on the quality of the learning environment? Analyses of 62 studies showed that self-, peer- and co-assessment can be effective tools in developing competencies needed as a professional. These forms of assessment are often used in combination with each other. Implementation of these forms of assessments accelerates the developments of a curriculum based on competencies (knowledge as a tool) rather than knowledge (as a goal) and leads towards the integration of instruction and assessment in higher education. As such, this development of a learning environment contributes to the education of responsible and reflective professionals.