There are various means of learning new and exciting pieces of material.

Of such is a teaching method known as the peer review, in which a student within your classroom examines and corrects your assignment.

The peer editing system has no exact historical origin, however one can assume that the peer review has only appeared recently in educational establishments to the extreme level that it currently holds. In the short amount of time that this cognitive technique has existed, several debates questioning as to whether or not it is of any value have risen.

Statistics show that the general public has a neutral stance on peer reviews. That is to say, they see the potential and defects that it has to offer. According to a poll created on Facebook, 19 out of 24 felt that peer reviews are of great use, but they understood it’s flaws as well. On the other hand, two people thought that such a teaching method was fully beneficial, and three other people felt the technique was completely flawed.

What are the flaws and benefits of peer reviews?

Argument may be, that professors and teachers alike are the ones who should be examining and correcting assignments, not the students in the same classroom in which they themselves are attempting to learn a new subject. Fellow peers are not licensed, let alone paid, to do such labor. Not only that, but we are all talented in various areas and this subject may not be a strength for some.

This fact can lead to drastic results such as having nonsensical markings across every square inch of a beloved essay you spent hours typing and not knowing where to begin to make the necessary alterations. There are many times, a peer may have sound advice in an area in which they are well versed.

Most likely, an article, essay or assignment of some kind has been gazed upon by your parent or a friend before finding its way into the hands of the instructor. These requests were made in an attempt to obtain knowledge from an individual of greater knowledge and ultimately made a personal choice. Overall, peer reviews are flawed. The peer editing process needs to go beyond the pencil marks of a classmate.

The editing process, or the guidance of the educational process, should come from the educator. Peer editing can be a useful tool but should not be a slacker’s way to teach.