Peer and Collaborative Assessment

Abstract

The ability to work collaboratively in digitally connected ways has never been more important and is closely linked with the capabilities required for successful peer and collaborative assessment. A thoughtfully designed peer and collaborative assessment process supports student development in a broad range of personal, interpersonal, and technical skills that are transferrable across contexts. Peer and collaborative assessments are often highly structured learning activities that aim to guide and empower students to refine their skills in reviewing the work of their colleagues against criteria and participating in effective feedback processes. The chapter argues that peer and collaborative assessment should play a mainstream role in the assessment strategies of the virtual university. Drawing on the existing literature and extensive experience, key considerations associated with the preparation and implementation of peer and collaborative assessment across the virtual university are explored. Case studies are presented to demonstrate how student confidence and ability to assess the work of others critically and honestly can be fostered through development of evaluative judgement and engagement in quality feedback processes. These learning outcomes should be scaffolded across programs and measured through a combination of self-assessment, peer assessment, and teaching teams’ judgements. The ultimate success of peer and collaborative assessment activities is underpinned by institutional-level policy and provision of technology to engage and support teaching teams. The limitations and future implications for practice and scholarship in peer and collaborative assessment will also be discussed in relation to the notion of the virtual university.