ERIC Number: EJ988470
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1436-4522
EISSN: N/A
The Development of Epistemic Relativism versus Social Relativism via Online Peer Assessment, and their Relations with Epistemological Beliefs and Internet Self-Efficacy
Tsai, Chin-Chung
Educational Technology & Society, v15 n2 p309-316 2012
Online peer assessment has been advocated by numerous contemporary educators. This study interviewed forty students who had experienced an online peer assessment activity for learning. Each of these students was asked to complete a research proposal in an educational method course for peer assessment. Using the online peer assessment system, the students, who performed the roles of both authors and reviewers, submitted their proposals, reviewed their peers' work and obtained peers' comments. Based on the interview data, sixty percent of the students could gradually develop views of "epistemic relativism" and "social relativism" through the online peer assessment activity. "Epistemic relativism" refers to recognition of the diversity of knowledge perspectives involved in a research issue, while "social relativism" indicates an understanding of the multiplicity of peer perspectives. These two views, which are perceived as positive impacts of online peer assessment, have rarely been documented in the relevant literature. This study further found that students' epistemological beliefs were related to their views of "epistemic relativism," while their Internet self-efficacy was associated with their views of "social relativism." More sophisticated epistemological beliefs and higher Internet self-efficacy can likely facilitate the development of views regarding "epistemic relativism" and "social relativism." (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Self Efficacy, Internet, Educational Methods, Epistemology, Research Proposals, Peer Evaluation, Interviews, Beliefs, Foreign Countries, Graduate Students
International Forum of Educational Technology & Society. Athabasca University, School of Computing & Information Systems, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. Tel: 780-675-6812; Fax: 780-675-6973; Web site: http://www.ifets.info
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A