Peer Assessment Enhances Student Learning: The Results of a Matched Randomized Crossover Experiment in a College Statistics Class

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143177
• Publication Date: 2015-12-18T13:42:19Z
• Authors: Dennis L. Sun; Naftali Harris; Guenther Walther; Michael Baiocchi
• Keywords: Crossover study; Peer Assessment

Feedback has a powerful influence on learning, but it is also expensive to provide. In large classes may even be impossible for instructors provide individualized feedback. Peer assessment one way personalized feedback that scales classes. Besides these obvious logistical benefits, been conjectured students learn from the practice of peer assessment. However, this never conclusively demonstrated. Using an online educational platform we developed, conducted in-class matched-set, randomized crossover experiment with high power detect small effects. We establish causes significant gain in student achievement. Our study demonstrates potential web-based platforms facilitate design high-quality experiments identify effects were previously not detectable.