Peer-graded individualised student homework in a single-instructor undergraduate engineering course

Abstract

This article reports on the implementation of a program of individualized, peer-graded homework assignments in a large-scale engineering course, with minimal resources. Participation in the program allows students to receive grades for problem-solving work in a setting more conducive to learning than the traditional final examination. The homework program was designed to support the ordinary course work and exam preparation of students along the semester, rather than an expansion of the curriculum. The implementation is carried out using a series of scripts on a local computer, for speed of deployment, portability and privacy protection. Data relevant to instructors is provided, showing that the program integrates well within an existing grading system, at a relatively low time cost for the instructor, resulting in a relatively large enhancement in the students’ learning experience.