Using Self-Assessment to Improve College Students’ Engagement and Performance in Introductory Genetics

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of structured self-assessment in receiving feedback on students’ perceptions of classroom instruction, the learning strategies they use, and the type of instructional support they need to comprehend the course material in a 90-student college sophomore genetics course. The results indicate that weekly-administered structured self-assessments make a range of information accessible to the professor and engage students in self-reflection about their learning and the teaching strategies used in the classroom. Preliminary statistical analysis of participation in self-assessment and student performance on exams suggest that self-assessments have a moderately positive effect on student performance. Our discussion focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented to the course professor while administering and evaluating self-assessments. Finally, we discuss the role of technology in facilitating students’ effective engagement with self-assessment