Jim Lindsey, an instructor at Western Kentucky University, discusses using peer evaluations, peer critiques, custom projects, and small group discussions in the classroom. He outlines what each technique is, potential pros and cons, examples of implementation, and lessons learned. Small group discussions allow students to think critically, improve communication skills, and learn from each other. Custom projects set an individualized but standardized assignment to prevent cheating. Peer critiques and evaluations give students experience assessing peers' work while also providing detailed feedback to other students. Lindsey emphasizes clear instructions, examples, practice, and accountability for successful implementation of these collaborative learning strategies.
1. Jim Lindsey, Western Kentucky University
Peer Evaluations, Peer Critiques, Custom
Projects and Small Group Discussions
2. Who am I?
• Jim Lindsey, Instructor
• Western Kentucky University
– Computer Information Systems
– Computer Information Technology
– Systems Management
• jim.lindsey@wku.edu
4. Today’s Agenda
• Topics
– Small Group
Discussions
– Custom Projects
– Peer Critiques
– Peer Evaluations
• Questions
– What are they?
– Pros
– Cons
– Implementation
– Examples
– Lessons Learned
5. Who are you?
• What is your name?
• Name of the
school/company you
represent.
• What is your favorite subject
to teach? Why?
• What is your least favorite
subject to teach? Why?
6. Small Group Discussions:
What are They?
• Large classrooms
• Groups of 3 or 4
• Reporting back
• Encouraging,
challenging, drawing
others into a
conversation
7. Small Group Discussions:
Pros
• Students think critically
• Students’ communication skills
improve
– Practice articulating opinions
– Practice debating and persuading
• Students’ presentation skills
improve (via small and large
group discussions)
8. Small Group Discussions:
Pros
• Students learn from each
other
• Smart, shy students are
forced to participate
• Students get to know their
classmates
• Students don’t get as bored
during class
9. Small Group Discussions:
Cons
• Some students don’t
want to participate
– Extremely shy
– Sage on the stage
• Some groups do not
answer questions as
instructed
13. Small Group Discussions:
Lessons Learned
• Use this technique
judiciously
– Get/maintain attention
– Hard topics?
• Compensation
• Competition can be good!
• Role in a flipped classroom?
21. Peer Critiques:
What are They?
• Students provide
feedback to peers
about their
performance on
assignments
• Teacher provides a
concise grading rubric!
22. Peer Critiques:
Pros
• Worker gets detailed feedback from
peers
• Students get practice assessing
someone’s work
• Evaluators pay close attention to
worker
• Everyone learns (from good and bad
examples)
23. Peer Critiques:
Cons
• Some students want
teacher to do ALL
evaluation
• Some students will not
rate peers accurately
24. Peer Critiques:
Implementation
• Create a concise rubric
– Post the rubric early
– Explain it clearly
– Make students practice
– Give students feedback
about their practice work
– Hold everyone accountable
• Compensate Evaluators
26. Peer Critiques:
Lessons Learned
• Communicate your
expectations in the
beginning!
• Provide examples
• As much as possible,
make needed corrections
along the way
27. Peer Evaluations:
What are They?
• At end of a group project,
students score the
performance of ALL
teammates
• Teacher provides a
concise scoring rubric!
28. Peer Evaluations:
Pros
• Motivates students to
perform
• Students get practice
assessing other people’s
work
• Venting mechanism
• Bragging mechanism
29. Peer Evaluations:
Cons
• Some students want
teacher to do ALL
evaluation
• Some students will not
rate peers accurately
30. Peer Evaluations:
Implementation
• Create a concise rubric
– Post the rubric early
– Explain it clearly
– Make students practice
– Give students feedback
about their practice work
– Hold everyone accountable
• Compensate Evaluators
32. Peer Evaluations:
Lessons Learned
• Communicate your
expectations in the
beginning!
• As much as possible,
make needed corrections
along the way
• Penalize lazy people
33. Application
• How could you include custom
projects, peer critiques or peer
evaluations in your favorite
class?