Understanding assignment deadlines

From the student perspective, there are three major phases to each peerScholar assignment. You will always complete all three phases: Phases 1 (Create), 2 (Assess), and Phase 3 (Reflect/Revise). In some cases in Phase 3 you’ll be given opportunity to resubmit a revised piece for final grading.

Your instructor will inform you at the beginning of the assignment as to what’s expected of you. Upon completion of all phases, Phase 4 begins and a TA or Professor grades your work. Once the grades are released, your assignment grade will be available for review by clicking on Phase 4.

The current phase is always highlighted in green. Completed phases are shown in red. The dates for all phases are also displayed.

Each phase has pre-set deadlines, and you are expected to complete them within the time allotted. It is important to complete all phases otherwise you may be penalized. Some instructors may assign a mark of 0 for the entire assignment if you do not complete all phases. NOTE: You have to actually complete your work and submit BEFORE the deadline. If you log in before the deadline, and then the deadline passes while you’re completing your work, it will be considered late.

After completing Phase 1, take note of the deadlines for the next phase. You will be expected to log back into peerScholar during that time to complete your assignment.

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Understanding assignment phasesFrom the student perspective, your peerScholar assignment has two or three major phases: Create, Assess, Reflect/Revise.

Once you’re logged into peerScholar and are on the tab for your course, you will see the active assignments. The current phase will be highlighted in green, with the dates for all phases shown. Any completed phases will be shown in red.

Phase 1 is called Create. In this phase you will be given a question or assignment to complete. In some cases you may also be provided a rubric to help you understand how you will be graded. You may also be provided with a visual organizer or some other downloadable resources.

There are different assignment types in peerScholar. Often you will be provided with a text box to type in your response to the question or assignment. If you prefer, you can still author your response using Microsoft Word (or other program) and then copy & paste your answer into the space provided. Otherwise, you will simply type your answer into the text box.

Alternatively, you may be given a File Upload assignment where you are expected to submit a file (Word document, Audio file, Video file, etc.). In these cases, your professor will provide additional instructions to you.

After you complete Phase 1, you may also be asked to provide some self-assessment. It is important that you make a serious effort on this as part of your mark may be based on your ability to reflect critically.

1. Create

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Phase 2 is called Assess. Here you will be shown the submissions from a number of your peers, and asked to provide feedback. Usually this phase is done anonymously (e.g. you do not know whose work you are reviewing). The type of feedback you’ll provide depends on the assignment, but often you’ll be asked to provide some short comments and possibly rate your peers’ work on a scale (e.g. 1 to 10).

Remember, your peerScholar assignment mark may depend heavily on the quality of feedback you provide. So take this phase seriously! Also, after completing Phase 2, you may be asked to re-evaluate your own Phase 1 submission in light of the quality of work from your peers.

2. Assess

3. Reflect/RevisePhase 3 is called Reflect/Revise. This phase may or may not be enabled for your assignment. When enabled, you will be shown the feedback on your own work written by your peers. This gives you the opportunity to take the lessons learned from phases 1 and 2 and to reflect on your original submission.

After reviewing the work of your peers, and after evaluating the feedback they have provided for you, you may be given the opportunity to then revise and re-submit your assignment.

Be sure to check the instructions or grading rubric provided by your professor. Often when Phase 3 is enabled, your overall mark will heavily depend on your ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills and to improve your response by incorporating the feedback provided by your peers.

Once all three phases are completed, your TA or professor will review your work from each phase and assign a final grade. Once the grade has been set, you will be able to review it inside the peerScholar application.

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Completing an assignmentOnce you have logged into peerScholar, you will arrive at your course page. If you are using peerScholar in more than one course, you can find the right course using the menu tab bar in black underneath the orange peerScholar logo.

On this screen, you will see all your assignments. In the image shown, Assignment 1 is currently in Phase 1. Current phases are highlighted in green and the prior phases will be shown in red. Assignments that have not started will be shown in grey, like Assignment 2 shown here:

When you are ready to complete a phase, simply click on the phase highlighted in green.

Notice the progress bars for all active or completed phases. Due dates will be shown for all phases, whether the assignment is currently active or has yet to start.

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Completing Create phase 1When the Create phase is active, it will be highlighted in green. Click on “Create” to get started.

On the first screen, you will have the opportunity to review your assignment. Watch for the buttons “Rubric” or “Graphic Organizer”. If these are visible, you can click on these for additional information regarding your assignment.

When you are ready to submit your assignment, click on “Save & Next: Create” in the bottom bar.

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You will now see the text editor window:

Use the text editor to submit your assignment. You will be able to use the formatting tools provided, including an equation editor and the ability to paste from Word. If your assignment is lengthy, be sure to click the “Save Assignment” button periodically. Note: for some assignments you will be required to upload a file rather than typing your response.

Once you have completed your submission, click on “Save & Next: Self-Assessment”.

As a final step in Phase 1, you may be asked to assess the quality of your submission. This will not affect your final mark, so you’re asked to be honest. Throughout the peerScholar learning process you will be given the chance to critically reflect on the your work and the work of your peers.

When finished, click on “Save & Finish”.

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You’ll be taken back to the main screen, and will see the progress bar set to 100% for the Create Phase. Congratulations, you’re done this Phase!

Be sure to check the deadlines for the next Phase!

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Compelte Assess phase 2In Assess Phase 2, you will review the submitted works of your peers. Depending on the nature of the assignment, you will be expected to review between two and six peers. Keep in mind, you will be graded on the quality of feedback that you provide so take this part of the peerScholar learning process seriously!

To get started, click on “Assess”.

You will be provided with instructions on what to do next. If your assignment has a rubric or a graphic organizer, click on those buttons to review them. You can also click on the “Assignment” button to review the assignment expectations.

Click “Save & Next: Give Feedback” to continue.

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During the peer feedback process, you will be shown the work of one of your peers. It will be up to you to read the submission, and provide useful and thoughtful feedback to your peer. Generally this consists of a numbered scale (e.g. out of 10), and a number of short-answer comments. If inline comments are enabled, you can highlight parts of the assignment shown and provide further comments. Remember to be thoughtful in the comments you provide as your final grade for the assignment may depend on it!

Once you are finished, click “Save & Next”.

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As a final step, you may be asked to complete additional self-assessment. Remember, this is based on your submission. The idea is once you’ve seen how your peers answered the assignment, you are being asked to think critically about the quality of your own submission. Be honest, and keep in mind this will not affect your final mark.

When you are done, click “Save” to finish this Phase.

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Completing Reflect/Revise phase 3

In Phase 3 you will be asked to critically reflect on what you learned during this assignment. This may also include the opportunity to revise and re-submit your assignment.

To begin, click “Reflect/Revise”.

You will be provided with instructions on what to do next. If your assignment has a rubric or a graphic organizer, click on those buttons to review them. You can also click on the “Assignment” button to review the assignment expectations.

Click “Save & Next: Review Feedback” to begin.

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Next you will be shown the feedback that was written on your assignment by your peers. Take your time to review all the feedback. After evaluating the feedback, you may be asked to rate the usefulness of the comments provided by your peer. Click “Save & Next” once you’re finished.

If the Revise step is turned on, you will then be provided with the opportunity to review your original submission, make changes based on all the feedback you’ve been provided (including the observations you’ve made by reviewing your peers’ work). Take your time, and be sure to click “Save Assignment” periodically. Once you’re done, click “Save & Next”.

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In some cases, you may be asked to provide a personal reflection on how you’ve improved your assignment throughout this process. Be sure to be thoughtful because your final mark will depend on your ability to demonstrate critical thought. When finished, click “Save & Finish”.

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Checking your gradesYour assignment grade may not be immediately available. It will take some time for your TA or professor to review everything and provide you with an appropriate grade. Once the grades are available, the Phase 4 will light up in green. To review your results, click on “Evaluate”.

Congratulations, you’re done!

On this screen you’ll be able to see a summary of all the feedback and comments written by your peers. Use the [ + ] buttons to review the results from each phase.

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To see the final grade for your assignment, click on “My Gradebook”. Your grade will be shown here.

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