Drawing On Peer Evaluation Studies To Manage The Classroom

Abstract

As global competition flattens hierarchies, management strives for productivity by delegating responsibility, notably including evaluation, to employees. Preparing generally apathetic students for this environment, teachers can manage classes in the same way. Traditional, hierarchical evaluation faces structural, managerial, and psychological difficulties. Peer evaluation, although reliable and valid, must additionally overcome peer group solidarity. Evaluators dread assigning low ranks because no one likes being below average. Peer evaluation challenges students and engages them in a work culture of distributed responsibility.