Student peer review involves students sharing their work with their peers for constructive feedback. This process, which involves students receiving feedback on their own work and providing feedback on other students’ work, can play a valuable role in tertiary education to promote student learning and increase satisfaction with the volume and quality of feedback.
There are a number of benefits that arise from student peer review. Students’ work is improved through reflection on and the incorporation of comments and suggestions made by their peers. In addition to this through reviewing other’s work, students are exposed to a range of ideas, writing and presentation styles. This opportunity to see other students’ work is one that students otherwise rarely have and allows them to reflect upon their own work in new ways. Students also develop the skill of providing constructive feedback to others. Peer review of student work allows for meaningful interaction with peers, greater exposure to ideas, and new perspectives on assignments.
Lecturers and tutors also benefit through the incorporation of student peer review in their subject assessment. In the wake of larger classes, more diverse students and declining resources alongside students reporting dissatisfaction with the quantity and quality of feedback it is important to create opportunities for students to become involved in evaluating the work of their peers and thus to contribute to a formative process of learning.