I concur with your assessment and have not added this element to the classroom as it facilitates greater peer pressure and also unnecessary ridicule. Online tests are the most expeditious and reliable.
That's a tough situation and I understand why you try to avoid it Deborah. You can always assign students code numbers and ask them to write those numbers on their exams. This protects confidentiality.
My feelings on having other students grade assignments is that confidentiality is compromised and situations are opened up where a student could file a grievance as a result. If there is a student who shared another student's accomplishment inappropriately, this could become a situation. I have chosen to avoid situations where students grade each others work.
This is an important point Bob. Sometimes, letting students see the work of others can create issues. This is particularly true when grading is not anonymous. However, it should be noted that instructors can take measures to get the best out of student grading without the hassle and conflict of interest.
Never let students see someone else work creats issues.
I would have to agree with you Bobby. I do think that it is a poor a decision on the instructor's part to have students grade each other's work. This can only lead to nothing but problems. I feel that instructors who use this method are only being lazy.
Yes, i agree!! However, I ask my students if they mind if peers grade their tests. If one or two students object then I personally grade those papers. I also use answer sheets that do not have student nasmes entered. Instead I assign a letter to each student, which I place next to their name in the gradebook, and students have no idea whose test they are grading.
Thank you,
Doreen g.
I agree about not having students grade other students' work. I feel each student has their own right to privacy. Also if another student grades the exam, his or her accuracy may be off...and the student's whose exam is being graded could be adversely affected. I'd rather just grade them myself.
We have created TRUST with the student but other students might not be as trusting or honest.
I totally agree with all the comments so far....but?
Can I play Devils advocate? Are there any creative ways (stepping outside the box) that we can use to have students grade their peers papers?
Yes there are!
At the begining of the term for the 1st test, students are still learning about each other, learning each others names, seeing their abilities, and personalities and getting to know each other.
They have not fomed too many "clicks" or relevant groups to "invade" each others space.
Before the test can we go down the classroom line and give the students a number. We Instructors could then put their numbers next to their names (our rosters)...randomly pass the quizzes around the class to be graded, review the answers at the end of the quiz and as soon as the students are ready.
collect the graded quizes immediatly afterward.
This not only keeps their identity a secret but it gives the students a chance to reflect on their answers and prepare /study better for the next time if necessary.
You can also be creative for the next quiz.
Other times I will submit a test/quiz for myself to be graded by the students, making the same mistakes and errors that I know the students will make (even though I know the answers). This shows them to pay attention to the questions, not skimmimg over and answering randomly as their peers will grade them the same way, impacting their final grade for that test.
Yes it poses challenges for peer to peer grading, but with some creativity, the other option can work.
Good points Bobby. It should be noted that students vary quite a bit depending on factors like age, grade and area of educational concentration. A grading method that works well for some students may not work well for others. As instructors, we've often got to carefully customize our grading methods.
I usually do this method for a quiz in the beginning of the term. It brings out a more valid dsicussion of what's expected from the students and also gives some students more of an incentive when they see what outcomes are expected of them from their peers not just from the instructor point of view
Melissa,
I totally agree with you, and this method should never be used to make our jobs as instructors easier. In fact, having students realize the insecurities and learning difficulties of other students could lead to behavioral problems,class division, low moral, and eventually "breakouts" in the classroom. DO NOT GO THERE! Using a true-false or multiple choice format for accessing student learning and recall of a concept or technique is the best way to proceed in a learning environment.
Bobby
I 100% agree, i have a real problem with students grading someone elses test/exam/quiz.
