Circuit peer-review helps assess learning and fosters student engagement – even in a remote teaching environment

Finding ways to foster student engagement and facilitate formative assessment will look different for some instructors this summer as Purdue continues to teach courses remotely.

But Circuit, a peer-review tool used by many faculty in face-to-face classes, can still provide students the opportunity to learn from each other and to improve their educational outcomes.

Developed at Purdue with guidance from faculty members, Circuit allows instructors to create peer-review assignments in a variety of formats, including rich text, images and video. Reviews can be conducted using a point-based scale or rubric. An optional calibration feature helps measure student review accuracy compared to the instructor, and is used to give students a more accurate score.

For remote teaching, Circuit gives students the opportunity to engage with and learn from other students through the peer-review process and allows instructors to monitor student progress throughout the process. Circuit is available for all Purdue instructors and students, and will be integrated within the Brightspace learning management system this summer.

Getting started with Circuit

To learn more about Circuit, or to get started using it, go to Purdue Innovative Learning’s Circuit webpage. Or send an email to innovativelearningteam@purdue.edu and request a consultation.

 

What faculty say about Circuit:

  • “The grading process for students actually helps reinforce those critical thinking skills, as they have to think not only about what they’ve written, but also what other students are saying.” - Larry DeBoer, professor of agricultural economics.

  • “The peer-review process is important, not just because it improves the student’s paper. It helps them think more critically about what they’re reading and ultimately what they’re writing – which is an important skill they’ll need throughout their careers.” - Amy Sheehan, associate professor of pharmacy practice.

***

Writer: Dave Stephens, technology writer, Information Technology at Purdue, 765-496-7998, steph103@purdue.edu.

Last updated: April 17, 2020