Secondary Students' Perceptions of Peer Review of Writing

• In Event: 63.085 - Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: 63.085-2 - Writing and Reading Processes and Outcomes

Abstract

Peer review is a prevalent approach in writing instruction, but little is known
about students’ perceptions of its benefits and challenges. This study used an
online questionnaire to gather approximately 500 high school students’ perceptions
of the overall helpfulness of peer review and the affordances and challenges of
specific features of the online peer review system they used, called SWoRD. Students
overwhelmingly viewed peer review as beneficial, and noted that anonymity of writers
and reviewers, reviewing others’ papers, and receiving feedback from multiple people
were the most helpful features of SWoRD. Students expressed concern about the social
dynamics of classrooms and conflicting reviews. Our findings suggest ways to design
peer review so that it offers maximum learning opportunities to students.

Authors

• Adam Loretto, Grove City College

• Sara DeMartino, University of Pittsburgh

• Amanda J. Godley, University of Pittsburgh