Peer Review with PeerMark in Brightspace
Turnitin's PeerMark in Brightspace provides students with the opportunity to give and receive feedback on each other’s writing after submitting a draft.
Using PeerMark as an Instructor
Turnitin’s PeerMark tool can be found within Brightspace. First, you have to create the assignment with PeerMark enabled, then setup the peer review settings.
- Navigate to the section in your course site where you would like the students to submit the paper.
- Select the Existing Activities button, then Turnitin - MVC.
- Enter the assignment details, such as the title, points worth, and due date. This is also where you will add instructions for students detailing what you expect in the paper submission. You can add a template and/or a rubric for clearer expectations.
- Check the box to enable PeerMark.
- After you have created the assignment, reopen the assignment and go to the tab for PeerMark Setup to enter the peer review settings, such as when reviews are due, how many points the review is worth, etc. This is also where you can enter instructions for the peer review process and questions the reviewers should answer for their assigned papers.
Tip! The point of peer review is to get students to think critically about their writing and to get multiple perspectives. Allow them time to revise their draft after reviewing the feedback. Don't use peer review for a final draft without opportunities to improve their writing.
Video demonstration of creating a PeerMark enabled assignment
Longer video detailing how to use PeerMark
PeerMark from the student's perspective
Peer review offers college students an opportunity to deepen their learning, sharpen their critical thinking, and enhance their writing. In an online class, peer review becomes even more valuable by helping students feel connected and engaged in a collaborative community.
When students review each other’s work, they:
- Learn to analyze writing more critically.
- Receive feedback from multiple perspectives.
- Gain experience giving constructive, respectful criticism.
- Develop a sense of accountability and motivation to improve their drafts.
- Engage in reflective thinking about writing, content, and course concepts.
For online learners, peer review helps bridge the gap of isolation. It fosters meaningful interactions and gives students a chance to practice giving and receiving feedback, which is an essential skill in both college and professional settings.
Create guiding questions that make sense for your assignment. Here are generic examples:
- What is the writer’s main argument or thesis? Is it clear and specific?
- Does the paper stay focused on the main idea throughout? If not, where does it drift?
- Does each paragraph have a topic sentence that tie back to the thesis?
- Are the ideas fully developed? Are there areas that need more explanation or evidence?
- Does the conclusion effectively summarize key points and reinforce the thesis?
- Are claims backed up with appropriate evidence (quotes, data, examples)?
- Are any sources missing citations? Are citations formatted correctly?
- What is the strongest part of this draft, and why?
- What area needs the most improvement?
- What is one specific suggestion you have for the writer as they revise?
- As you read through the draft, make note of any grammar, spelling, or punctuation issues.