What motivates students to take self-assessment seriously?

Self-assessment is a key component of digital learning, as it allows students to monitor their own progress, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and set goals for improvement. However, not all students take self-assessment seriously, and some may even cheat or skip it altogether. What motivates students to engage in honest and meaningful self-assessment, and how can teachers foster such motivation? In this article, we will explore some of the factors that influence students' attitudes and behaviors towards self-assessment, and suggest some strategies to enhance their motivation and learning outcomes.

1 The role of feedback

Feedback is essential for effective self-assessment, as it helps students to compare their performance with the expected standards, to recognize their errors and gaps, and to plan their next steps. However, not all feedback is equally helpful, and some types of feedback may even demotivate students or undermine their confidence. To motivate students to take self-assessment seriously, teachers need to provide feedback that is timely, specific, constructive, and actionable. Feedback should also be aligned with the learning objectives and criteria, and should encourage students to reflect on their own work and to seek further feedback from peers or other sources.

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Pierre-Paul Cavalié

Chief Digital Officer | AI Lead | Edtech | Former Entrepreneur
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Dans le domaine de l'éducation, l'auto-évaluation est un outil puissant qui, lorsqu'il est pris au sérieux par les élèves, peut transformer l'apprentissage. L'intégration de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) dans ce processus renforce et systématise le feedback, rendant l'auto-évaluation plus efficace et engageante. Voici quelques éléments clés à considérer sur le Rôle du Feedback : Avec l'IA, le feedback devient instantané, personnalisé et plus précis. L'IA peut analyser les réponses des étudiants et fournir des retours constructifs en temps réel, ce qui encourage les élèves à réfléchir activement sur leurs performances et à s'améliorer continuellement.

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Rachel Harper, Ed.S.

Guiding Black Educators Towards Prioritizing Their Well-being | Host of Changing the Face of Wellness Podcast | CEO of The Woman Reset Health Collective
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One thing I've found helpful is immediate feedback. Educators are familiar with offering feedback in the form of quizzes and test results. As such, students take the results and self-assess their progress or lack thereof. However; students can benefit from immediate feedback in real-time throughout the class. Waiting until the final unit assessment to allow students the opportunity to self-assess their progress works, but real-time guidance better motivates students to take self-assessing seriously.

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2 The role of autonomy

Autonomy is another important factor that affects students' motivation to self-assess, as it relates to their sense of control and choice over their own learning. When students feel that they have some autonomy in selecting their tasks, setting their goals, choosing their methods, and evaluating their outcomes, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to self-assess. On the other hand, when students feel that they have no autonomy, and that they are only following external rules and expectations, they are more likely to be disengaged and resistant to self-assess. To motivate students to take self-assessment seriously, teachers need to provide some opportunities for student autonomy, such as allowing them to choose their topics, formats, or levels of difficulty, or to negotiate their criteria or deadlines.

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Pierre-Paul Cavalié

Chief Digital Officer | AI Lead | Edtech | Former Entrepreneur
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L'IA intégrée à l'auto-évaluation permet aux étudiants d'avoir un contrôle plus important sur leur processus d'apprentissage. En fournissant des outils d'auto-évaluation accessibles, l'IA encourage les élèves à prendre en charge leur progression et à devenir des apprenants autonomes.

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3 The role of competence

Competence is another key factor that influences students' motivation to self-assess, as it refers to their belief in their own ability and potential to succeed. When students feel that they are competent and capable of achieving their goals, they are more likely to be motivated and confident to self-assess. On the other hand, when students feel that they are incompetent and incapable of achieving their goals, they are more likely to be demotivated and anxious to self-assess. To motivate students to take self-assessment seriously, teachers need to provide some support for student competence, such as providing clear and achievable goals, scaffolding and modeling the skills and strategies, and acknowledging and celebrating the progress and achievements.

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Pierre-Paul Cavalié

Chief Digital Officer | AI Lead | Edtech | Former Entrepreneur
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Grâce à l'IA incluse dans les auto-évaluations, les élèves peuvent mieux comprendre leurs forces et leurs faiblesses. Cela les aide à se concentrer sur les domaines nécessitant une attention particulière, renforçant ainsi leurs compétences globales.

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4 The role of relevance

Relevance is another factor that affects students' motivation to self-assess, as it relates to their perception of the value and meaning of their learning. When students feel that their learning is relevant and connected to their interests, needs, aspirations, or experiences, they are more likely to be motivated and curious to self-assess. On the other hand, when students feel that their learning is irrelevant and disconnected from their reality, they are more likely to be demotivated and bored to self-assess. To motivate students to take self-assessment seriously, teachers need to provide some context for student relevance, such as linking the learning to real-world problems, issues, or scenarios, or to personal or professional goals, or to prior or future learning.

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5 The role of collaboration

Collaboration is another factor that influences students' motivation to self-assess, as it involves working with others to share, compare, and improve their learning. When students collaborate with their peers, they can benefit from different perspectives, feedback, and support, and they can also develop their social and communication skills. Collaboration can also enhance students' motivation and interest, as they can learn from each other, challenge each other, and have fun together. To motivate students to take self-assessment seriously, teachers need to provide some opportunities for student collaboration, such as creating peer review or feedback groups, or designing cooperative or competitive activities or games.

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Emily Connelly

Instructional Multimedia Coordinator @ Portland State University | Instructional Multimedia ☆ Digital Campus Curator
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Why do students commonly complain about collaborative projects? You've had some you hated too - channel those memories into making group projects a valuable experience. Good collaborative projects can create bonds that aid persistence, confidence and motivation in their field. Bad ones create stress, resentment and can easily alienate a frustrated student not only from the course but from their cohort. Make sure assignments are balanced and there are clear expectations for the group and the individual. Provide a pathway for help if group members fail to contribute. Provide time in class to share progress and focus questions and praise on efforts made to work together and find ways to overcome problems in doing so.

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6 The role of recognition

Recognition is another important factor that affects students' motivation to self-assess, as it refers to the acknowledgement and appreciation of their efforts and achievements. When students receive recognition from their teachers, peers, or other audiences, they can feel proud and satisfied with their work, and they can also increase their self-esteem and confidence. Recognition can also motivate students to improve and excel, as they can see the impact and value of their learning. To motivate students to take self-assessment seriously, teachers need to provide some forms of recognition for student work, such as displaying or publishing their work, giving awards or certificates, or providing incentives or rewards.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What motivates students to take self-assessment seriously?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 The role of feedback

2 The role of autonomy

3 The role of competence

4 The role of relevance

5 The role of collaboration

6 The role of recognition

7 Here’s what else to consider

Digital Learning

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What motivates students to take self-assessment seriously?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 The role of feedback

2 The role of autonomy

3 The role of competence

4 The role of relevance

5 The role of collaboration

6 The role of recognition

7 Here’s what else to consider

Digital Learning

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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