Using peer feedback to enhance the quality of student online postings: An exploratory study

Peggy A. Ertmer, Jennifer C. Richardson, Brian Belland, Denise Camin, Patrick Connolly, Glen Coulthard, Kimfong Lei, Christopher Mong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

161 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of peer feedback used as an instructional strategy to increase the quality of students' online postings. While peer feedback has been demonstrated to support students' learning in traditional classrooms, little is known about its efficacy in online discussions. To address this gap, we examined students' perceptions of the value of giving and receiving peer feedback, specifically related to the quality of discussion postings in an online course. In addition, we investigated the impact of that feedback by comparing the quality of students' postings, based on Bloom's taxonomy, from pre-course to post-course. Results suggest that the quality of students' postings was maintained through the use of peer feedback despite students' preferences for instructor feedback. Students noted that peer feedback can be valuable and, more importantly, described how giving peer feedback not only reinforced their learning but enabled them to achieve higher understanding.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)412-433
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Computer-Mediated Communication
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Communication

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