Self and Peer Assessment at Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Sessions at the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (FOM-KAU), KSA: Students Perception

Abstract

Introduction: In 2007, the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (FOM-KAU) has introduced PBL into its integrated, systems-based curriculum to encourage the development of important skills. Among such skills are problem-solving skills, verbal and written communication skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills, and self- and peerassessment skills. Purpose: The purpose of this research work was to investigate whether self- and peer-assessment are done or neglected in PBL sessions at FOM-KAU, and how students perceive them in terms of their benefit. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive study that has been performed at the FOM-KAU on a random sample of students in Year 3 (n=60). A self-administered questionnaire (survey) was developed and administered to the students at the end of the debriefing session of a PBL case to investigate their perception of self- and peerassessment and whether they are done or not. Descriptive statistics were used, as frequency distribution and comparisons. Results: Nearly all of the students in our sample positively perceive the importance and merits of self- and peer assessment. Also, most of the students (83%) said they do self-assessment after PBL sessions, while only 55% of them said they do peer-assessment after PBL sessions. Conclusion: Self- and peer-assessment are done in FOM-KAU with different percentages, where selfassessment is done more frequently. Based on their importance, they are positively perceived by the majority of the students in our sample, which provides a good ground for implementing and monitoring a sound strategy for selfand peer-assessment based on pre-determined criteria.