Peer Assessment in a Wiki: Product Improvement, Students’ Learning And Perception Regarding Peer Feedback

Abstract

The present study examines the added value of peer assessment in a computer-supported collaborative learning environment (CSCL) in higher education by focusing on (1) the learning effect, (2) wiki product improvement and (3) students’ perception of peer feedback in a CSCL-environment. The present study involved two conditions: structured peer feedback (S-PFB) and non-structured (control). The results do not indicate a significant learning effect between pretest and posttest or between the conditions. However, for both conditions the peer feedback process improved significantly the quality of the wiki product from draft to final version, although no significant differences between the control and the experimental group (S-PFB) were found. Furthermore, the S-PFB group adopted a more critical attitude when providing and receiving peer feedback. The S-PFB group also perceived the received peer feedback as being more profound and detailed.