Importance of Peer Assessment
Concept of peer assessment and self assessment
Peer assessment is when learners evaluate the work of their classmates by giving feedback or scores using agreed criteria. This process helps them share ideas, develop critical thinking, and understand quality standards in learning. For example, in a Tanzanian secondary school English class, students can upload their essays on Google Classroom or Moodle, where classmates review and comment on grammar, structure, and clarity using rubrics. In a mathematics lesson, learners can solve geometry problems, submit them on Kahoot! or Quizizz, and then exchange responses with peers to provide constructive feedback. These tools allow teachers to structure peer review in a more engaging and transparent way, ensuring that learners learn from one another while practicing fairness in assessment.
Self-assessment, on the other hand, involves learners reflecting on their own work to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This helps students build responsibility and independence in learning. For instance, in a Tanzanian primary school science class, pupils can use Microsoft Forms or Google Forms quizzes that give instant feedback on their answers, allowing them to compare their performance against the correct responses. In Kiswahili lessons, learners can use Padlet or Edmodo to post their compositions and then use teacher-provided checklists to assess whether they included all required sections like introduction, body, and conclusion. Digital tools such as Socrative or Nearpod can also help learners track their progress over time, making self-assessment a continuous and motivating process.
Importance of peer and self assessment
Peer and self-assessment shift the focus of learning from the teacher to the learner. By reviewing their own work and that of their peers, students gain deeper understanding, identify areas for improvement, and build confidence in their learning journey. Such approaches promote active participation, fairness, and accountability while fostering skills that are useful both inside and outside the classroom.
- Promotes active learning – learners are directly involved in evaluating work, which increases participation.
- Develops critical thinking – students learn to analyze, compare, and judge quality based on set criteria.
- Enhances understanding – by reviewing others’ work, learners recognize mistakes and good practices that improve their own performance.
- Builds collaboration skills – encourages teamwork, communication, and respectful exchange of ideas.
- Increases learner responsibility – students take ownership of learning by contributing to assessment.
- Boosts confidence – learners gain courage when they see their feedback valued and can compare their abilities with others
- Saves teacher time – especially in large classes, as learners assist in giving feedback.
- Encourages fairness and reflection – students learn to apply rubrics or criteria consistently.
- Supports use of digital tools – platforms make peer feedback more transparent and interactive.
- Prepares learners for real life – builds skills like evaluation, communication, and collaboration needed beyond school.