The peer revision is a wonderful way to learn how to write in terms of structure, and rhetoric. Just as it was taught in last semester’s English 114 class, the best way to grasp a concept was to teach it. In order to make the peer review more of a teach/learn technique, I think a rubric or a set of guide lines would be helpful. It would give the students an idea of what to look for and identify elements and strategies that they could use in future papers. To make peer reviews even more effective, giving the students more time to review the essays would prove beneficial. Assigning it as home work, perhaps. That way the evaluator can really chew on it and offer a full flavored feedback.
I'll definitely take that into consideration for the next batch of peer reviews. It'll mean having to make copies for all your group members. But I think the benefit of reading and commenting at one's own pace would make the feedback more substantive and leave more time for discussion in class. I respond well to your blog title - teaching to learn. Makes me think of the amazing feedback loop that can happen when we exchange roles, shifting back and forth between leader and follower, between expert and novice. Gives us all a chance to be the "responsible one," and gives us that many more perspectives on a given problem or question.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, the best way to grasp a concept is to teach it. Once I saw that, i knew i had a topic to talk about. My understandings of grasping certain concepts have best been obtain through teaching it.
ReplyDeleteI felt really intimidated at the beggining of the Peer review also, I had never had my writing read by anyone other than a proffessor.I wasn't sure if my point would come across well enough or if it made sense at all, but my barkada assured me of what areas my essay was strong in and where it needed a little work. Although I was hesitant to begin with by the end of the review I felt like it was beneficial overall.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people can relate to this entry and that is the best part about it. I enjoyed how you explained how the peer revision is a good technique to use and I especially enjoyed your humorous picture you put to back up what you were trying to say.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is classic.
ReplyDeleterubric or set of guide lines
ReplyDeleteGREAT IDEA!!!