Discover Education (Sep 2024)

Enhancing coherence and student engagement through portfolio assignments and peer-feedback

  • Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard,
  • Janne Saltoft Hansen,
  • Maiken Bay Ravn,
  • Thomas Maribo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00260-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Abstract Portfolio assignments and peer-feedback can enhance coherence and student engagement in a course programme, thereby improving learning outcomes. In a course, students obtain permission to take the examination for their semester course upon approval of at least three out of five portfolio assignments. The portfolio comprises three individual assignments with peer-feedback and two group assignments, one of which includes peer-feedback. In the evaluation of the developmental process, electronic course evaluations were conducted by all students, and semi-structured interviews were held with five students. We found that the use of portfolio assignments and peer-feedback has increased the coherence of the course and ensured that students engage with the academic content between course sessions. Furthermore, portfolio assignments and peer-feedback have promoted the use of in-depth learning strategies and enhanced student reflection. We estimate that criterion-based feedback guides and rubrics have boosted student confidence and improved the quality of their assignments. To implement peer-feedback effectively, we consider it necessary to support the complex processes involved with a stable and well-functioning digital peer-feedback tool.

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