Understanding critical thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, to understand the logical relationship between ideas, and to identify, analyze and solve problems. It's much more than the mere accumulation of knowledge; it's the ability to engage with information in a thoughtful, skeptical way.
In an age where information and data abound, knowing how to distinguish the true from the false and analyze information objectively and critically has become vital. Whether in the professional world or in everyday life, critical thinking helps us to make informed decisions and avoid being influenced by misleading or biased information.
Peer assessment is an effective way of cultivating critical thinking skills. By evaluating the work of others, students learn to analyze, compare, argue and reflect critically on their own work. What's more, they are encouraged to adopt a different perspective, question their own ideas and develop more nuanced, reflective thinking.
The impact of peer review on critical thinking?
How can peer evaluation be used to develop critical thinking skills?
Encouraging students to actively engage in assessment, asking questions and reflecting on answers can stimulate their critical thinking. The peer review process should be interactive and dialogical rather than static. Don't hesitate to explain the purpose of the exercise to students, or even to co-construct the criteria grid with them.
Self-assessment can help students to think critically about their own work. By comparing their own assessments with those of their peers, they can identify gaps in their understanding and refine their judgment.
Peer review platforms, such as ChallengeMe, can provide a structured framework that facilitates evaluation. Features such as tracking, analysis, and automated feedback enable a more enriched and engaging experience.
Feedback must go beyond simple notation. It must be constructive, explanatory and learning-oriented. Explaining why something is good or bad develops the ability to reason and argue. We have created guides to help students write constructive feedback. You can download them here.
Peer assessment has proven to be more than just an evaluation mechanism; it's a path to intellectual growth. By fostering analytical thinking, encouraging personal reflection, and creating a collaborative environment, it helps sculpt more curious, open, and critical minds.
Our use cases with institutions such as EM Lyon and the University of Montpellier illustrate how this synergy can be successfully implemented.
