Towards a learner-centred approach: Interactive online peer assessment

Abstract

The tremendous workload produced by multiple assessments that aim for a learnercentered approach to learning in huge classes and the inability to provide results timeously, often results in lecturers’ maintaining teacher-centered approaches to learning even if they appreciate the benefits of learner-centered approaches. One step toward a learner-centered approach is to incorporate peer assessment. In this study we went one step further and combined peer assessment with e-learning. Interactive online peer assessment can lessen the workload on lecturers and may be an important step towards designing courses that are learner-centered. In this study we report on the lessons and experiences of an interactive online peer assessment system. An evaluative case-study approach was undertaken. The theoretical underpinning of this study is activity theory. Lecturers monitored and evaluated the progress of the students who undertook this course and this article is a report of the study. Interactive online peer assessment can be enhanced if s