Reflection Topic

“Critical thinking is the ability to discover the value of an idea, a set of beliefs, a claim, or an argument”
(College success, 2015, p.106). As it is clear from the definition, in order to make a decision and criticize
it, we urgently need critical thinking strategies. In peer assessment, we always try to find out the strengths
and weaknesses of the assignment. And with any judgmental feedback, we perform an act of critical
thinking.
“Peer assessment is a common method of evaluation used in the classroom, workplace, and research.
Since it is carried out by individuals who have similar competencies, it is one of the best ways to gather
first-hand feedback that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of an individual.” (Formplus, 2020). We
read the assignments and collect information about them. We evaluate all the evidence given, analyze and
examine the all materials, compare the basis with the given standards and give feedback with all these
points in mind. .
Alongside, in the Discussion Assignment, where we try to get enough information with many questions,
maybe we can leave a critical comment for our classmates. Rating these discussions is not an easy task,
we ask ourselves many questions whether this score is fair or not. With these two mentioned parts, we are
always dealing with critical thinking strategies and we train this skill unconsciously in our minds.
Strategies from this week that I use when I assess Written Assignments are:
1. Read whole assignment carefully without skipping lines.
2. Checking components to ensure relevance (the topic sentence, body sentences, and the
conclusion)
3. Evaluate how the peer dealt with the assignment and what solutions he/she proposed.
4. Check grammar and spelling mistakes.
5. Ensuring that the peer has prepared the assignment according to the format specified in the
guidance.
6. Giving a fair score and feedback according to the mentioned guidelines.
I have completed a practical assessment and an actual assessment of a Written Assignment. I am very
surprised by the responses that peers give to each other. Some peers have forgotten the main purpose of
peer assessment. Most of the time I just get an encouraging comment rather than an advising
comment. And sometimes it happened that I faced with a harsh attitude in response to my criticism. In the
assignments section, most of the peers do not pay attention to the given instructions, they don’t take into
account the number of given words and most of the time they leave a direct text on the submission
content instead of the word file. My only concern is when careless students graded my assignments.
Unfair grades without considering the guidance and evaluation because of their less attention. And it is
very time-consuming if we refer to the instructor every time.
References:
*Blog, F. (2020, November 25). Peer assessment: Meaning, types + [template examples]. Formplus.
Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.formpl.us/blog/peer-assessment
*College success. (2015). Minnesota Libraries Publishing. Https://open.lib.umn.edu/collegesuccess

Word count: 490

APA Exercise:
1. What is the title of the video?
Encourage critical thinking with 3 questions |Brian Oshiro|
2. Who is the speaker?
Brian Oshiro
3. What year was the video published?
2019
4. What URL is the video available at?

5. Using the information from #1-4, write the APA reference for the video file you found. The
reference goes at the end of your work, after all of your writing is finished.
Reference listed below.
6. Now, let’s write the in-text citation, to use at the end of a sentence you are writing.

Reference: