Self, peer and group assessment in e-learning : an introduction

This chapter provides an introduction to self, peer, and group assessment, especially as they may be applied within an online, or e-learning, environment. What is self-assessment? What is peer assessment? What is group assessment? In what ways are they similar, and what distinguishes one from another? The principal characteristics of each are described. An assumption, made explicit from the start, is that assessment should not just be about grading, but about assisting the process of learning itself. References are made throughout to the thoughts and experiences of many researchers and practitioners currently working in the field.