Using Peer Assessment As Feedback

Peer assessment is an effective strategy for providing timely feedback, especially when teacher time is limited. This article explores how to implement peer feedback as a skill and how SpacesEDU supports this collaborative process.

Before You Start

• Peer feedback is a skill that must be explicitly taught and modeled to be effective.
• Ensure that peer viewing and commenting are enabled in your Space settings. For more details, see How can I update Space settings?.

The Importance of Timely Feedback

Feedback is most effective when it is immediate. Peer assessment allows students to receive and apply feedback quickly, bridging the gap between their current work and the learning goals. When students see value in the feedback provided by their peers, it becomes a powerful tool for growth that can be applied right away.

Structured Peer Conferences

A great starting point for peer feedback is through structured conferences. Teachers provide the guidelines and prompts, and with practice, peers can provide effective feedback on:

• Successes: What has been done well in relation to the learning objective.
• Gaps: What still needs to be done to achieve the objective.
• Actionable Steps: Clear, navigable steps on how to reach the goal.

Peer Feedback in SpacesEDU

SpacesEDU offers multiple opportunities for students to engage in peer assessment through collaborative environments:

In addition to written comments, students can use multiple modes of media—such as audio and video—to communicate their feedback, making the process more accessible and engaging.

Good to Know

• Peer assessment not only helps the receiver but also helps the provider develop a deeper understanding of the learning objectives by evaluating others' work.
• Explicitly modeling "what good feedback looks like" is essential before students begin assessing each other.
• For more tips on giving feedback, see How do I provide effective peer assessment?.

Updated on: 06/08/2026