THEME: Eduflow and Peer feedback - an interview with a teacher from TEK

Question: How do you use Peer feedback in your teaching?

"I use Peer feedback before the final submission, as a sort of quality test before the final submission. The students usually have a project that covers the entire semester, where they are supposed to apply the theory that has been taught over the semester. The students typically give Peer feedback to each other 1-2 times. I use it for instance when a group of students (10-12 students per group on 1st semester) have uploaded a drawing as part of a written assignment. The students will then give written feedback to each other".

Question: What guidelines do you give the students before they give each other feedback?

"When they give feedback they must use a so-called rubric, which consists of a number of assessment questions that they must use in their feedback. For instance, does the drawing meet a number of very elementary requirements (is there a North arrow on the drawing, for direction?). It is very specific questions they must relate to in their reports, when they give feedback". 

Question: Do the students know who they are giving feedback, and from who they receive feedback?

"I have decided that most often they do not know to whom they are giving feedback, but they will know who is giving them feedback. This reflects the students’ own wish, as it allows them to enquire deeper into the feedback. But it is also based on an assumption that they will be nicer to each other if they know that the receiver of the feedback will know who has given the feedback".

Question: Does one group give feedback to just one group? Or does a group receive feedback from several groups?

"The typical organization is that 2-3 groups give feedback to 1 group. The students always get feedback from at least 2 groups, since it would be a limitation if they got feedback from just one group, and for instance a professionally strong group got feedback from a weaker group".

Question: How do you decide who gives feedback to who?

"Previously I had to keep track of it in a spread sheet, but the new programme manages to mix the students so that the same students do not give feedback to each other again and again".

Question: Can you tell us a little about the rubrics you use in connection with Peer feedback? The questions (assessment criteria) that the students use in their feedback?

"The rubrics I have created, are now fixed elements of the programme, so that for each report or assignment there is a specific rubric. The assessment criteria remain the same each year, so the rubric remains unchanged as well. I make sure that the rubric is accessible for the students before they start on their assignment. This way, before they start on the assignment, they can see what is essential in the assignment and what are the assessment criteria". 

Question:  How do the students respond when they are told that it is not you, their teacher, who is going to give them feedback, but their peer students?

"They respond well, but we do start the training early, as early as first semester. We explain that this is what we do at SDU, and this is what they will experience when they start working, because as an engineer you will always quality test the work of others. In addition, you will be extremely inspired when you see how others have solved a task. Not least because each group of students give feedback to not just one, but several groups of students. Taking a position in relation to the work of others is the best way to improve your own work".

Question:  What is your workload in connection with feedback to students since you started using Peer feedback?

"My workload is obviously smaller now than if I myself should have given feedback to each group.  But the biggest advantage of using Peer feedback is especially on another parameter: We see, how the students end up making far better projects, for us teachers to assess. In short: The students make better products".