Modelling a Peer Assignment Review Process for Collaborative E-learning
Evelyn Kigozi Kahiigi
Stockholm University
Mikko Vesisenaho
University of Jyväskylä
Henrik Hansson and Mats Danielson
Stockholm University
F.F Tusubira
Knowledge Consulting Ltd, Kampala, Uganda
Abstract
The educational culture in most developing countries is lecturer-centred with lecturers as providers of information and students as receivers of information. This approach has impacted on student’s ability to seek and create knowledge to support their learning process. A collaborative learning approach that promotes students process of inquiry, critical thinking and skill development thus lacks in the context, yet these aspects are crucial in the knowledge society. If universities in developing countries are to educate students to compete and become active participants in society, the teaching and learning processes underpinned by relevant theories and models should be adopted. This paper proposes an approach to support students´ learning in a developing country context - Uganda. Specifically, the authors design and model a peer assignment review process for collaborative e-learning, employing the second stage of development research. The model is based on using student to pedagogically support each other’s learning through four process stages: familiarization, assignment, review and feedback. Empirical investigations of the process stages indicated that the peer assignment review process facilitated the students learning. Students indicated that they were able to actively participate in the course, gain experience in critical reading and evaluating peers work, while reflecting on their own work. The empirical investigation further indicated that students were able to adopt and use online technologies in their learning activities. As such the peer assignment review process impacted the students learning both as receivers and providers of reviews creating a level of acceptance to adopt and use the proposed collaborative e-learning approach.
About the Author(s)...
Evelyn Kigozi Kahiigi holds a Masters degree in Computer Science and is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer and Systems Sciences at Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Sweden. Her particular research interest is in collaborative e-learning, with specific focus on how it can be effectively be adopted and used in a developing country context. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mikko Vesisenaho is a research coordinator at the Human Technology Unit, Agora Center at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Dr. Vesisenaho’s multidisciplinary educational and academic background is from education and computer science. He has several years experience of working on East African ICT education research projects. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Henrik Hansson is Associate Professor and head of research in IT and learning at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Sweden. He is interested in the technology and learning and can be contacted atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mats Danielson is Professor in Computer and Systems Sciences at Stockholm University, Sweden. He is also the Vice Dean of the Social Science department. He is interested in computers in society, including decision support and analysis. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dr. F. F. Tusubira is the current CEO of UbuntuNet Alliance for Research and Education Networking. He is actively involved in ICT policy and regulation formulation. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
