The Role of Peer Feedback in Developing Better Writing Skills: A Case Study of Undergraduate Students
Abstract
This research aims at identifying the effectiveness of Peer Feedback in the improvement of the writing skill of undergraduate students at Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan. The sample population is 50 students of 1st semester, department of Education. The data were collected through students’ writing as well as their feedback discussions and interviews to students. The results highlight major improvement in grammar, coherence and clarity resulting from peer feedback to the students’ writing. In addition, it supports collaborative learning, enhances learners’ independence and enhances the development of critical thinking skills. However, some of the problems that have been found included variability of the feedback quality and the tendency of some students not to produce critical comments to the works of their fellows among others. The study emphasizes that in students peer feedback provision should be embedded in structured procedures and classroom teachers should engage and guide students as they benefit from peer feedback. The findings of this study demonstrated the importance of incorporating peer feedback interventions into writing curricula with a view of improving writing aptitude among university students writing in similar environments.
Keywords: Peer assessment, academic writing, cooperative learning, simulation
