BLOG ASSIGNMENT #3

How Can You Provide Meaningful Feedback to your Peers?

    I once thought peer editing was a type of "superior than you" attitude my classmates carried and a way for my classmates to bash my writings as indicated in the above image. After watching the videos, now I look at peer editing has being fun and exciting and a way to interactive with my classmates. Paige Ellis's blog shines a refreshing light on how to do an effective peer editing. She lets her peers know how to correct someone's writing without coming off as being harsh. Peer editing is defined as making corrections and giving suggestions along with awarding compliments to someone's writing that is in your age range. The steps mentioned in the video What is Peer Editing? by nrpatric and the slideshow tutorial Peer Edit With Perfection by Adriana Zardini can help all peers avoid being negative and ineffective. Both tutorials have stated three main steps that peers must remember.

Steps to Peer Editing:
1. Compliments
     - Always start with one
     - Stay Positive
2. Suggestions
     - Be Specific
     - Give detailed ideas
3. Corrections
     - Check spelling and grammar
     - Check for incomplete sentences and run-ons

    When doing peer editing, the number one thing to remember is to STAY POSITIVE!! You can start a sentence with "I enjoyed reading your blog especially the part where ..." or "Your blog was very thorough and well written". By using these compliments, your peers will be more inclined to listen to your feedback and not take the corrections personally. When giving suggestions, you should always be specific. Your ideas should include word choice options and direct details on the reasons behind the changes you recommended. Also check for the structure of the sentences, the flow organization of the paragraphs, and make sure the post is relevant to the topic. When making corrections, always make sure it improves the writing. You should check for spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. You want to help enhance the writing, not minimize it.
    Critiquing someone's writing can be executed on an elementary school level as shown in the video by Tim Bedley Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes. In this video, 10 different scenarios are demonstrated using names such as Picky Patty and Social Sammy to enlighten students on how not to act when doing peer editing with their classmates. I really liked how this video used younger students. Every example was clear and simply stated for all to understand. After watching this video, I have gained more knowledge on how to effectively do a peer editing.
    On Paige's journey to do her peer editing assignment, she asked a very important question: "Do you critique someone's writing in public or through private email?" I believe it depends on how unsatisfactory the writing is. If it is just one or two corrections, I think it is respectable to comment publicly. This can help other students' writing abilities that may read the person's blog. If there are numerous corrections, then I would send a private email with the suggestions. Constructive criticism is always the method to use when doing peer editing. As an Athletic Trainer, I am constantly asked for advice from athletes on how to improve their game. I must be able to encourage them. We as future teachers need to learn to always motivate our students to do their best. If we constantly tear them down, they will stop wanting to learn. Peer editing gives us the practice we need to become positive, highly qualified educators and exceptional writers.