Critical Reflection: The Role of Peer and Tutor Feedback

Before attending the ES1102 classes, I thought that the lessons will be similar to the General Paper class I had in Junior College or the English classes in my secondary school days. To my pleasant surprise, the ES1102 classes are not that dry and boring, and they are also useful and helpful to improve my English language and other writing skills.

I have learnt new knowledge and relearnt what I thought I already know. One example will be the usage of “had” (past participle tense). I have now realized that we cannot use “had” too loosely and the presence or the absence of “had” will make a huge difference to the entire sentence.

Other than English language and grammar issues, I have picked up new knowledge from Brad and my fellow peers in A5. Brad initiated this interesting way to allow us to learn from one another’s mistakes and merits, the online peer evaluation. Peer evaluation is not a new thing in my secondary and JC days. However, such activity really benefits me in various ways.

Peer evaluation requires us to post our writings, which include reflection, Reader Response and essay, on our blogs and our peers will comment on these blogs. As a commenter, I have learnt to look at the same issue from new perspectives. My peers always propose new ideas and viewpoints that I have never thought of. Together with the comments I received from my peers, I realized that it is inevitable that everyone as all of us have different experience and prior knowledge (or prejudice). Thus, each of us will take different stands when we are discussing the same issue. Hence, the most challenging part of the writings is not so much about our English skills, but our skills to perfect our argument to convince our readers to believe and take our stands. Although English skills are needed to propose the most persuasive phrases, the critical thinking skills are more crucial to propose feasible and sound arguments that others will be persuaded and convinced.

Also, the constructive criticisms we received from our peers teach us important lessons too. These comments help us to realize our shortcomings in terms of our English language and the weak arguments we have. When we accept these remarks humbly to review and reflect our mistakes, we can learn much more knowledge that textbooks are unable to teach us. Furthermore, I have received encouraging comments from my fellow peers that motivate me to continue my difficult journey in learning English. For instance, some of my peers have helped me to correct my grammar mistakes or suggested other alternative phrasings for my later drafts. Thus, I would be more careful with my writings so that I could minimize my grammar mistakes. Other than the academic skills that we learn from these lessons and evaluations, I will a better understanding of my peers too. From the writing style and content that they posted on their blogs, we are able to ‘interact’ even after classes. The use of digital technology enables me to reach out to my peers more easily. Since such indirect communication is a more common mode of networking in today’s digital world, the online peer evaluation is a simple yet interesting way that we enjoy while we evaluate our peers' writings.

Overall, I am glad that I have chosen to take this module in my first year as these skills I have picked up from the short 12 weeks will be beneficial to my future academic writings. The critical thinking skills have been useful to consolidate the ideas for my Chinese Language term paper. Before taking this ES1102 module, I have trouble organizing my ideas. However, from the feedbacks that I receive from my peers and Brad, I learn how to organize my writings in a more systematic manner so that my readers will be able to understand my argument. Although my Chinese language term paper requires me to write on a different topic and even with a different language, the skills I obtained from the ES1102 classes are helpful in my organization and critical thinking. These skills have definitely benefitted my English writing skills, and sharpened my critical thinking and reflection skills that are needed in every subject and module.

(edited)