Use of peer assessment as a student engagement strategy in nurse education
Corresponding Author
Dympna Casey RGN, BA, MA, PhD
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Dympna Casey, School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorEimear Burke RGN, Dip, BNS, MHSc
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorCatherine Houghton RGN, RCN, BN, MHSc, PhD
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorLorraine Mee MS c. BS c. (Hons), Dip. PG. Cert, Cert. Ed, RNT, RCNT, RM, RN
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorRita Smith MEd, FFNRCSI, RNT, RGN, RM
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorDeirdre Van Der Putten MSc (Hons), BNS (Hons), RNT, RM, RGN, Dip
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorHilary Bradley RGN, RM, BNS (Hons), MHSc, RNT
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorMargaret Folan RN, RM, Dip, MSc
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Dympna Casey RGN, BA, MA, PhD
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Dympna Casey, School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorEimear Burke RGN, Dip, BNS, MHSc
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorCatherine Houghton RGN, RCN, BN, MHSc, PhD
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorLorraine Mee MS c. BS c. (Hons), Dip. PG. Cert, Cert. Ed, RNT, RCNT, RM, RN
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorRita Smith MEd, FFNRCSI, RNT, RGN, RM
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorDeirdre Van Der Putten MSc (Hons), BNS (Hons), RNT, RM, RGN, Dip
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorHilary Bradley RGN, RM, BNS (Hons), MHSc, RNT
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorMargaret Folan RN, RM, Dip, MSc
School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
This paper describes how peer assessment was implemented in an undergraduate nursing program in Ireland to enhance student engagement, and reports students' (n = 37) experiences of the process. The process involved second year Bachelor of Nursing Science students developing marking criteria and marking two of their colleagues' assignments anonymously. A qualitative descriptive design using focus group interviews was used to collect data on students' experiences. Demographic data were collected through questionnaires. The analysis identified three themes: (i) impact on student engagement; (ii) challenges of peer assessment; and (iii) making it better. The findings revealed that most students enjoyed the process, and that peer assessment facilitates and enhances student engagement. The findings also provide evidence to support the self-regulation theory of learning. A detailed account of the methods used to implement peer assessment is also provided, which might be useful for other nurse educators seeking to implement peer assessment at an undergraduate level.
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