Get Your Students Hired
I agree with another replier, I am not a fan. I work with instructors who allow students to grade each others' tests. My opinion is, what an invasion of privacy.
Blake, These are great questions. I give scores based on correct answers instead of percent complete. I tend to find that I can trust the students not to help their classmates cheat. However, one thing that I like to do to ensure fair grading is to cross check a few exams to ensure the grader is being accurate.
Dr. Melissa Read
I would love to do this, but how do the students feel about it? In my particular program, the curriculum is so jammed packed with information, I feel the students would complain that it would be a waste of valuable time, despite the homework usually being applicable to the lesson plan.
I also give points for homework in my courses, do you trust that the students would not help their fellow classmates cheat? Do you give completion scores or an actual score based upon correct answers?
Another concern is student errors in grading. The students might not be very concerned about accuracy when grading a peer's assignment, or they might be tired or confused by someone else's differently-worded or disorganized answer. I would feel a need to re-grade each homework assignment to make sure the student who graded it didn't make grading mistakes.
At times, I do allow students to check each others papers while I provide the answers. First, this method can be of value with T/F, fill-in-the blank, mul. choice,etc. What you are evaluating has to lend itself to this procedur. Second, I give the class an opportunity to provide their input as to this process. As they see the benefit of getting their results more promptly, they opt for this method of paper checking. Third, I usually assign each student a number or letter. This number or letter is to be used instead of the student's name. This helps to protect the students identity. Students' may share their number/name if they wish. Once, they are more comfortable with the class, many do. Fourth, if a student does not wish to participate, I will check that student's paper. They do not particiapate in the checking of another's paper.
I feel this method of paper checking is a useful method to promote good time utilization and student participation. Students are very eager to discuss why they made the selection they did.
I think it is a great idea. My student rarely do "homework" because most do not have time outside of class. They do homework as classwork. Having students grade each others homework will hold them accountable to their peers and may contribute to classroom discussion. As a student it may be better to keep your own homework for discussion so they can make notes or changes; however, exchanging homework is a form of competition among "co-workers."
I avoid this because of privacy concerns. I actually prefer to grade homework because I get a better idea about how students are doing in the class. Having students write their answers on an answer sheet (or on the right side of the page) can help streamline grading.