Should students critique one another
I bleieve the ability to have chat rooms is great. The ability to have synchronous and asynchronous I also think is great. However, is it appropriate for students to actually critique each other? Isn't the idea of the chat room to be inovative and pull from everyone else's knowledge and way of thinking? Isn't it more the job of an instructor to critique? By deffinition it is the act or art of criticizing.
Any comments?
Dean ,
Brainstorming is an excellent form of synchronous discussions.
Shelly Crider
Although synchronous discussions are harder to logisticise, there are irreplaceable elements present only in real time. Mainly, excitement and brainstorming. Many equivalent to say, performing a piece of music as a group is rewarding in a different way than recording tracks separately.
Ramondo,
Students will learn from each other doing this as well.
Shelly Crider
Feedback/critiquing is important from peers as much as the instructors. Sometimes students can be more open to their peers feedback than that of the actual instructor.
Debra:
Good points. However, students who are able to critique peer posts can learn from this exercise. They may be able to delve into a peer comment and recognize validity and areas of improvement. If there are adequate and appropriate ground rules for the process, this may be a valuable learning opportunity. I always stress that feedback should be non-personal and be offered as critiques instead of criticism. I urge students to review the objectives of the assignment and provide relevant and insightful feedback that recognizes contributions and suggestions for an additional value-add.
Suzanne
As an English instructor I must say I completely disagree with having students peer edit or critique one another.
First, the students are not English instructors. They will correct items which do not require correction and miss those items which do require correction.
Additionally, what training in assessment has the student received. I had to take graduate level classes in assessment in order to receive a teaching certificate.
Furthermore, it is quite possibly a violation of FERPA to have a student evaluate another student.
Students need to concentrate on evaluation of their own skills and knowledge.
On the first day of English class I tell my students they will not be peer editing. I ask my medical students if they would want me to give them a shot, even though I have zero medical training. The answer is always no. In the same respect they do not like the idea of paying for a professional to teach them and receiving a "student" teacher. My students are always happy to know I will be doing my job, and they will be doing theirs. :)
Ron,
Interesting concept! I like making students do both sides of the fence. Opens their minds!
Shelly Crider
I have thought about using technique by telling students they must post a pro or con of a particular subject and then challenge another posts pro or con.
I agree student should not critigue one another because this might cause students not to want to post or take part in a chat.
That is very true. Students look for content or grammar, but perhaps not both.
Critiquing someone else's work is a valuable learning experience. The students who are being critiqued receive valuable feedback. But perhaps even more importantly, the students are better able to identify their own mistakes after critiquing someone else.
However, you have to teach the students how to critique appropriately and provide the appropriate resources or you cannot expect them to do a good job and learn from the experience.
My experience has been that student critiques work best on low stakes activities, or on "rough draft" style assignments.
Good point....constructive and appropriate criticism is always a learning experience.
I think it's good for students to critique each others' work (and their own too), as long as the criticism is constructive and appropriate. This shows that students are putting more thought and effort into the evaluation of each others' work, and that they are applying the concepts of what they learned.
Do you feel students read directions?
Lisa,
I agree that students should not be harsh in submitting their comments to and about the work of their peers.
I support strict guidelines for the process with examples and training provided by the instructor on the appropriate way to critique.
Any criticism should be a constructive one with one or more suggestions offered for improvement.
Barbara Bray
Good point - this is the only time I use critiques that count towards a grade. - Jon
I think in a group project they should evaluate each other because we as the instructors can not always see what they are all doing to create the final product.
Byron,
I agree, but it would be important to cover this up-front to make sure feedback is constructive!
Best,
Jon
I believe that we can all critique each other as long as some simplle rules are followed. First we should always give both a positive and a negative comment to someone we are speaking to in this fashion. Second I think that the person who is being critiqued must understand that what they are receiving is another persons perception and it is not a personal judgement against them. Then both parties can learn from the process.
