Using blog posts for peer to peer learning and summative assessment

This paper provides an example of how a blog tool in a virtual learning environment such as Blackboard Ultra can be used for peer learning and both formative and summative assessment. By breaking down larger pieces of assessed work into shorter blog posts students who had been out of education for several years were able to gain confidence and receive initial tutor feedback on their work. This assessment mechanism also enabled students to learn through providing peer feedback to each other. The learning process through providing peer feedback was emphasised to students in order to highlight the mutual benefits it delivered. By asking for short blog posts on specific topics the likelihood of students overlooking a required part of the summative assessment was reduced. Recommendations for practice are provided. This includes emphasising to students how they will learn from reading and commenting on their peer’s blog posts because when they return to their own work it will be with a fresh pair of eyes.