Commenting on other students work

AOx1 · Mar 1, 2011

This depends on the context. I would not find this to be appropriate in many situations. Students should be formally evaluated by an expert the vast majority of the time. However, it does have a place in the rare group project. I am not generally a fan of group projects as it seems that some students like to take advantage and try to make others do the work. If I do assign a group project, I encourage students to select those they can work with productively, then allow a portion of the grade to be peer evaluation. The comments are very insightful and accurate. IMO, peer review is important in areas where fellow students may have expertise (ex-interpersonal skills) but NOT as the sole method of evaluation and not when students aren't experts (ex- a new skill).

I value my students' input, but use it to add to a full view of students, not to supplant my own judgment.

Despareux · Mar 1, 2011

Be constructively honest. Your critique is to help your fellow student, not make them feel like crap.

When you give a negative, always follow it with a way they can make it better. Be prepared to explain your rationale and to listen to their rationale. Sometimes, two rationales clash or can work together; either way, it's brainstorming and can be a very good learning tool.

Look for strong aspects of their work and be sincere. If there is just one aspect that you really liked, know why you liked it so much, so that you can share it with that student. That positive that you liked so much, may help that student improve tremendously because now, they have positive feedback they can reference.

metricalpound · Mar 1, 2011

I've never had to comment on other student's work in Nursing.

But I have an English degree and critiqued quite a few papers that my peers have wrote.

You want to start out my listing everything that you think the other person did right and be honest. Even if it seems like a little thing - like in Nursing, maybe one might say that the nurse seemed to be cheerful and happy while working with the patient, which may put the patient at ease. If the person did almost everything right, you want to list everything that you think was exceptional.

When it comes to negative feedback, only do 1-2 things that you think that your peer can work on. Because after 2 things, no matter who you are, people will tune you out and think that you are picking on them. And only do negative feedback after giving some positive feedback. People will really listen to you if they think you are being constructive - that means, you have to recognize what the person did right, even if it's a few things, and just concentrate on a couple things that the person needs work on.

Constructive feedback is one of the best ways for students to learn if they use it correctly.

TheCareerStudent · Mar 1, 2011

Constructive Criticism, this is something that must be learned at the college level so that one day when you guys are professionals you will know how to do it in the real world, when it matters. Some people are born with tact, most have no idea what tact or professionalism is. I learned this stuff early in my college days and it paid off big time as I advanced.

Try to be honest and professional, just remember there are a lot of people out there who have no idea how to act like grown ups and will attack you for it. Be the bigger person and take the experience for what it is worth. One day you will be a manager and have to speak to one of your workers, who will be immature and will act like a five year old; you will know how to handle yourself.

Hope that helps!

anashenwrath, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2011

I haven't had to do this personally, and I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea. But it depends, are you being asked to comment on the quality of a paper? Because that doesn't seem like it should be in the student's jurisdiction in a nursing class (maybe a Literature class, etc, but not nursing). However, if your professor is having other students comment on your nursing diagnosis of a patient or something, that could have value, as it will allow you to hear different perspectives and interpretations of your diagnosis.

As far as giving a critique, I think everyone has already covered the best way to do this. Be honest, but very pleasant. Nursing classes can be competitive and cliquey, so you never want to make someone feel bad or make yourself look mean. Touch on some positives, then mention areas that could be strengthened, then go into positives again. If it's a verbal critique, you can phrase your criticisms as questions, eg, "Do you think it might add value next time if you also mention blahblahblah?" As long as you are positive and constructive, it should be well-received!

heavenbound · Mar 1, 2011

Thank you all for your input, I have and will continue to use some of your suggestions as it relates to being honest and offering constructive criticism. As for the assignment we all were assigned different case studies and had to present on which ethical principles we would use to seek guidance in resolving the dilemma and present it in ppt. Once submitted and graded, the instructor posted some for others to view and comment (did you agree with the nurses actions, would you have done something different, etc). I am noticing that some comments have no valuable input, and appears to be nice remarks to friends. These kinds of comments cannot possibly be helpful to the next student when the comments don't measure up with the content provided according to the rubric. Any hoot, I am one to always welcome constructive criticism because I don't mind given it but at least be helpful when doing so. At times I feel uncomfortable because I am a perfectionist, over achiever, and one who takes pride in what they do. When others see that things are different than what they have done, I notice some resentment, distance, possible tension, competitiveness, etc. Then I tend to wonder where am I (this is only the beginning).