Peer assessment based assignment to enhance interactions in online learning groups

In this paper, we report on the findings from our PhD work on how peer assessment based assignment method can enhance interaction in online learning groups. The method is explored and tried out on the research methods course on the Bachelor of Commerce Programme which is run in distance learning mode at Makerere University. Based on the idea that learning groups can enhance effective learning in online learning environments, we used the affordance eLearning framework to design the peer assessment based assignment task and then qualitative methods collect and report on data. The results reveal that there was increased interaction through peer feedback. Students were motivated because of the marks that the assignment carried. The quality of the final submission improved. The quality of peer feedback improved through the interactions. We conclude that peer assessment based assignment can increase interaction and easily help in monitoring individual student´s participation in the online learning groups. Since each group receives at least five peer feedbacks then the interaction is quality assured.