I have just completed a careful read of my two peer reviews and made the necessary changes to my e-Portfolio. I really appreciate the attention to detail that each reviewer gave. It allowed me to gain multiple perspectives, an important constructivist outcome. The reviews were not merely to catch spelling, grammar, or design mistakes. They also helped clarify where I needed to explain myself better or justify a particular choice. In the end, the decision to change things was mine. Each suggestion needed to be weighed in light of my own understanding and knowledge. Some suggestions sent me in search of the answers such as whether a certain term needed to be capitalized. Others were implemented immediately due to their valuable input.
As I head back into the classroom tomorrow, I am thinking about how I can incorporate peer review in my own class of young grade three students. In my past experience, I have found that one or two students who have better writing skills end up doing all the review work for most of the class. This is ineffective and I would like to see the whole class involved. Based on my ETEC590 experience, I believe that providing the criteria for what to look for in a review would empower students (even weaker ones) to know what to look for as they review a classmates work. Secondly, I will help my students understand that in the end they are responsible for their work, and it is up to them to decide whether to accept suggestions from others. In this way, they will need to engage with the suggested changes rather than just implement them mindlessly. Through engagement, they will be able to perhaps further their learning.
As I head back into the classroom tomorrow, I am thinking about how I can incorporate peer review in my own class of young grade three students. In my past experience, I have found that one or two students who have better writing skills end up doing all the review work for most of the class. This is ineffective and I would like to see the whole class involved. Based on my ETEC590 experience, I believe that providing the criteria for what to look for in a review would empower students (even weaker ones) to know what to look for as they review a classmates work. Secondly, I will help my students understand that in the end they are responsible for their work, and it is up to them to decide whether to accept suggestions from others. In this way, they will need to engage with the suggested changes rather than just implement them mindlessly. Through engagement, they will be able to perhaps further their learning.