Assessment basic component of learning students are more actively involved when they assess their peers. This study aimed to investigate whether peer assessment could enhance wiki projects. A literature review was undertaken and peers assessment is regarded as a natural process for developing critical judgements (Fry 1990). This has been used for more than 50 years. However it does need to be conducted with care to eliminate reciprocity effects. Wikis can foster good collaborative skills but there are issues assessing them.

This study had student teachers involved and there were 15 of these all doing an IT focused degree. There was 48 participants in all 30 men and 18 women and they were divided into 10 groups. They were taught how to use the wiki in class and then they drew straws to choose topics. These included bullying, internet privacy and copyright etc. There was an assessment rubric that had 5 criteria which were content, design, organisation, credibility and technical elements.

Projects were assessed by peers online prior to final submission. Data was collected through a discussion forum and all students were actively engaged in the discussion except one. There were 209 comments. Students provided feedback on content and areas of development needed. One group actually changed their wiki following comments being posted. All students grades have improved.