The Impact of an E-Learning Environment on Students' Self and Peer Assessment

Abstract

This case study shares the experience of a first-time introduction of an e-learning environment into an existing university curriculum. Students in biomedical sciences could choose, at the end of their third year of university study, among several elective courses. One of them was a course on effective communication, taught in the bioinformatics / biostatistics module. Classical contact hours in this course were drastically reduced through the use of an e-learning environment. The first exposure of on campus students to such an environment led to some noteworthy observations. For collaborative work, students made only minimal use of an electronic discussion forum, and preferred physical attendance in sessions organized by themselves. On the other hand, reflection on their own performance, as well as self and peer assessment, were substantially facilitated through the use of an electronic portfolio. Confidentiality, immediate feedback, and permanent accessibility played a key role.