Beyond the Red Pen: Exploring the Impact of Language Peer Assessment Technology on the ESL/EFL Writers’ Performance

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the influence of integrating Turnitin peer-marking feature on students’ performance in a writing task within an English course. In addition, it seeks to elucidate the students’ perspectives on their experience with the Turnitin peer-marking feature. To achieve these objectives, a quasi-experimental design was utilized to assess the impact both before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the implementation of Turnitin peer-marking feature. Following this, the participants were prompted to write reflection papers articulating their insights concerning their experience with the peer-marking feature. Employing a mixed-method design of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study endeavors to achieve a comprehensive view of the efficacy of employing technology-mediated peer review has an impact on improving students’ writing skills, and how it is perceived by the intended users.