Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning process, but it is often seen as a one-way process where teachers evaluate students’ performance and provide feedback. However, assessment can also be a two-way process where students actively participate in assessing their own learning and that of their peers. This is known as assessment for learning (AfL), and it has been shown to have positive effects on students’ motivation, engagement, self-regulation, and achievement.

One of the key strategies of AfL is self-assessment, which involves students reflecting on their own learning goals, progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Self-assessment helps students to become more aware of their own learning processes and to take responsibility for their own learning. Self-assessment also helps students to identify gaps in their understanding and to seek feedback from others to address them.

Another important strategy of AfL is peer feedback, which involves students giving and receiving constructive feedback from their classmates. Peer feedback helps students to learn from each other’s perspectives, to develop critical thinking and communication skills, and to improve their work based on the feedback. Peer feedback also helps students to develop a sense of collaboration and mutual support among their peers.

Both self-assessment and peer feedback require teachers to create a supportive and trusting learning environment where students feel comfortable to share their opinions, questions, and challenges. Teachers also need to provide clear criteria and guidance for students to conduct self-assessment and peer feedback effectively. Teachers can use various tools and methods to facilitate self-assessment and peer feedback, such as rubrics, checklists, portfolios, journals, peer review forms, online platforms, etc.

By implementing self-assessment and peer feedback in the classroom, teachers can empower students to become more autonomous and confident learners who can monitor and improve their own learning. Assessment for learning is not only about measuring what students have learned, but also about enhancing how they learn.