Using LearnEval Peer Assessment Platform in Project-Based Learning Settings: A First Experience Report

Abstract

Through project-based learning (PBL) students achieve higher levels of knowledge by developing challenging and complex projects over long periods of time. Adding a peer assessment component has the potential to increase students' engagement and critical thinking skills. In this paper we provide an experience report on the use of peer evaluation in a PBL scenario in a higher education context. A pilot study involving 41 undergraduate students enrolled in a Multimedia Technologies in E-Learning course is presented. A novel peer assessment platform called LearnEval is used by the students to evaluate the project deliverables of their peers. The unfolding and findings of the study are discussed and a detailed analysis of students' activity, as monitored and reported by LearnEval, is included in the paper. The results are encouraging, as students had a generally positive experience with the peer assessment process and the support platform. Nevertheless, increasing the quality of the reviews provided by the students is an important area for improvement.