Balancing Studies: Reflections on Peer-Based Learning

Thus far the material presented in this class has been very informative and has put a lot of things into better perspective when it comes to the people around me. I wouldn’t say that this class alone poses a challenge, however with the combination of Computer Programming 101, I feel like my challenge is managing both classes at the same time, as they both require an immense amount of reading and understanding of the content presented.

In terms of feedback, I feel like I can improve greatly, as this is the second term I’ve taken at UoPeople, so I am quite new to this whole peer based assessment and feedback type of learning. When providing feedback I feel like my strengths shine through in the following two aspects; First, being that

Keep to the assessment the best you can. If you cannot make out what the student is saying--put that and score accordingly. You are doing nobody a favor for giving high marks on something you can 't read. (I 'm not suggesting you hinted at this, but I wanted to make it clear for everyone else reading our forum).

As for how to mentally address the issue--take a break. Do the best you can. Take a break if you need to. Do not bash your head against the wall trying to read it. It isn 't your job to make yourself understand the paper--it was the student 's job to present that paper in a way that it could be understood.

I used to teach at a medical school and it was far easier to demonstrate this purpose there. If my nurses had to write about a patient and the doctor or next nurse couldn 't read the writing then it could mean life or death. Our students are in either business or computers--both require the ability to express properly the information needed.” (Szewczyk, 2015)

I found that this response resonates every time I come across a paper that I find difficult to read due to that barrier and always direct the peer to the Online Student Writing Center for

However, I know this is a learning process, with practice comes perfection and the more I assess the better I will get at it. The two things I could improve on is finding ways to provide feedback on someone I feel has done a great job, this way I am not just stating “Great Job!” I feel this is important, because although it is relating back to the writer that I think they did a great job, it is not conveying to them what it is that I liked so they can continue the great work. Secondly, I feel like I need to work on providing feedback within a timely manner, as I often put my studies off until the beginning of the week. My week of submission typically starts on Tuesday and ends on Thursday with my Journal Assignment. Although, my peer will not receive my assessment until the following week, I feel it is something I should start doing Thursday rather than Wednesday. If I were to provide feedback to my peer’s written assignments in a timelier manner it would be more productive, as the material would still be fresh in my mind, allowing a better and more relatable response that is not clouded with the new