Higher education is undergoing a major transformation. By refocusing teaching on the development of complex, cross-disciplinary skills, the competency-based approach is redefining educational practices. In this context, peer assessment is emerging as a powerful lever for fostering learning, commitment and learner autonomy. This article explores how this method enriches PCA, based on exchanges during a webinar organized by ChallengeMe with Skema, Centrale Supélec and the University of Montpellier.
The skills-based approach: a necessary pedagogical transformation
In the face of changing professions and societal challenges, higher education can no longer be content with assessing isolated areas of knowledge. APC proposes a global, integrated vision of learning, focusing on students' ability to mobilize skills in complex situations.
As Éric Gérardin, Director of Higher Education and Research for the national program France 2030, explains, "APC is a training design approach based on developing learners' skills. This implies a grounding in reality and a progression towards a potential for adaptation to complex situations". Skills are not limited to know-how, but include postures, behavioral knowledge and an ethical dimension, in line with the expectations of employers and society.
However, for PCA to be fully effective, it must be accompanied by appropriate evaluation practices. This is where peer evaluation comes into its own.
Peer assessment as a pedagogical tool
Peer assessment is based on the idea that students can assess each other, under the guidance and supervision of the teacher. There are several key advantages to this system:
- Encouraging reflexivity By evaluating the work of others, learners develop a critical eye for their own productions. They learn to identify strengths and weaknesses, which reinforces their learning.
- Fostering commitment The active involvement of students in the assessment process stimulates their responsibility and motivation.
- Developing social skills The exchange of feedback fosters empathy, communication and collaboration, all of which are essential in the professional world.
Dominique Guillaume, educational engineer at the University of Montpellier, highlights the importance of the cognitive levels mobilized by peer assessment: "When a student is able to assess another, he reaches a very high cognitive level, which enriches his own learning process."
The benefits of APC peer review
Peer assessment offers significant advantages in the competency-based approach:
- Active, engaging learning When learners have to evaluate the work of a peer, they become more actively involved in their own training and better understand the expectations associated with each skill," emphasizes Aurélie Thévenin from Centrale Supélec.
- Increased reflexivity By receiving regular feedback, students are encouraged to reflect on their progress and adjust their learning strategies. The ChallengeMe tool plays an essential role here, facilitating the collection and synthesis of peer feedback.
- Better preparation for the professional world Cross-disciplinary skills, such as the ability to give and receive constructive feedback, are directly applicable in professional contexts.
- Gradual empowerment Students become active participants in their own learning, acquiring self-assessment skills that reinforce their ability to adapt to a variety of situations.
- A tool for teachers As Dominique explains, "tools such as ChallengeMe lighten the load on teachers, while guaranteeing a pedagogically aligned assessment".
Feedback: the PAIRSEVAL project at the University of Montpellier
The University of Montpellier has set up the PAIRSEVAL project, a scheme designed to integrate peer assessment into PCA. The project is based on tools such as Moodle and ChallengeMe, enabling teachers to propose collaborative assessment activities while ensuring their pedagogical alignment.
One of PERCVAL's major successes is the quality of the feedback provided by students, reflecting a thorough understanding of the assessment criteria. According to Dominique Guillaume, "The tool has made it possible to encourage learners to become active players in their training, by becoming aware of their strengths and areas for improvement."
However, this type of system is not without its challenges. Acceptance by teachers and students, as well as training in the use of digital tools, are crucial steps to guarantee success.
Impact on professional integration
Peer assessment prepares students for real-life work situations. By receiving and providing feedback, they develop cross-disciplinary skills such as problem-solving, adaptability and collaboration.
Aurélie, an educational engineer at Centrale Supélec, points out: "The skills acquired through this type of program are not limited to obtaining a diploma. They are a major asset for the professional development of learners, who become capable of adapting to a variety of contexts."
What's more, digital portfolios enable students to keep a record of their learning, which they can then use in professional interviews.
Conclusion
Peer assessment is much more than an evaluation tool. It's a mechanism that engages learners in an active, reflective and collaborative process, essential to meeting the requirements of APC.
Experiments conducted by institutions such as the University of Montpellier and Centrale Supélec show that, despite the challenges, this method is a promising avenue for the future of higher education. By reinforcing students' skills and facilitating their professional integration, it contributes to building enriching and sustainable learning paths.
The prospects offered by digital tools and artificial intelligence promise to further expand the possibilities of this approach. It's an exciting development that higher education players have every interest in exploring.
