On the other hand, when students do the evaluating, they tend to focus more on the actual quality of learning. And, if their performance is unsatisfactory, they tend to accept more responsibility for that outcome. One of the best ways to teach students how to honestly and accurately evaluate themselves is through the use of rubrics and checklists. In fact, in many cases, it is appropriate to guide students in developing their own rubrics. Of course, they must reach consensus as a group or class, because everyone would have to be graded using the same criteria.
Students are quite capable of developing their own rubrics.
They understand the meaning of quality work. They just need guidance in learning to identify the observable characteristics of that work and deciding the characteristics necessary for a satisfactory performance. Another important way in which students should evaluate themselves and their peers involves participation in the learning process. Through regular assessment of their own and their classmates' participation and contributions, they increase their awareness and appreciation of their own roles and responsibilities in the learning process and the learning community. To develop and design your own sample checklist or form for students' self and peer evaluations, use the Planning Sheet as a guide.