Peer Assessment that Works: A Guide for Teachers

by Betty McDonald

In the real world a lot of activities require people to work in groups. Consciously or unconsciously each member assesses other members using their own predetermined criteria. Recognizing the significance of such assessment this book presents tried and tested ways of peer assessment that provide students with pleasant memorable experiences. Everyday challenges are addressed and possible solutions are offered. Drawing from over 40 years of academic experience in several different countries of the world, the author uses the many lessons learned to substantiate recommendations. Simple, straightforward yet groundbreaking techniques are employed to enhance peer assessment and improve its validity and reliability. Students learn to be more self-aware, productive, autonomous, collaborative and communicative. The strategies discussed in this book help both educators and students to manage and maintain trust. Shareware graphics used for mental stimulation and pictorial illustrations are intended to simplify explanations. This is the “go-to‟ book when you need help with peer assessment.

72 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2015

About the author

Professor Betty MCDONALD, C.M. (Gold), FHEA, Ph.D., MPhil, MEd, PG. Dip Ed., BSc. (Hons., Mathematics/Physics), mAERA, mIAEA, mEDUCAUSE, a Fulbright Fellow, Haggai Institute Fellow, Commonwealth Fellow, UNESCO, American Psychological Association (APA), Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership, Australian Endeavour Executive Awardee and Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Fellow was Head, Professional Development Unit of TLIS at The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).

She was awarded the Chaconia Gold Medal (C.M.) by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for her long and meritorious service to national development in the sphere of Education.

With over 52 years academic experience, she has taught at all levels of the education system from early childhood to tertiary and has served as Visiting Professor to universities across all continents.

She is officially certified by The Department of Justice & Regulation Victoria, Australia Working With Children Check (Card No. 1426970A-01).

Professor McDonald has presented her research findings at national, regional and international conferences where she has served as Keynote Speaker, Special Speaker and Session Chair.

She supervises international exchange students and several undergraduate capstone projects, locally and internationally. Professor McDonald continues to use her expertise to advise many doctoral students (locally and internationally) under her supervision.

Committed to community, she has to her record over 224 edited publications and presentations, including over 45 academic books.

Her interests include assessment, evaluation, teaching, learning, problem-based learning, service learning, online learning, professional development, applied statistics, project management, and mathematics education.

https://sites.google.com/view/profess...

Reviews

[Stephen Birss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful and thought-provoking introduction to the world of peer assessment. McDonald makes a lot of valuable points about the nature and importance of peer assessment: it hands authority to learners, supports learning and equips them with important life skills, among other things.

I would say that the writer's focus is more narrow that it need be. A lot of the discussion centres on assessment of performance and group participation. In this and other ways, the book could afford to take a broader look at the varied ways in which this pedagogy can be incorporated into classroom life.

I think that I would have appreciated more in the way of practical pointers; the author talks of their extensive experience in teaching, but my feeling is still that this book consists more theory-based rather than tried and tested techniques. It is never quite clear what educational arena McDonald has in mind. These are principles which are applicable from school up to university (and possibly beyond), yet a little more in the way of differences of application at different levels would have been beneficial. That being said, this is a short book which makes a valuable starting point for exploring the use of peer assessment, a vital and important skill for lifelong learning.