How to create a Peer-evaluation Assignment using PeerMark in Blackboard

To create a Peer-evaluated Assignment in Blackboard, we recommend using the Turnitin Peermark feature.

Step 1: Create a Turnitin assignment

PeerMark is a feature within Turnitin. You must first create a Turnitin assignment within Blackboard in order to use PeerMark.  Whether you choose to use the Originality reporting or not will be determined by your settings when you create the Turnitin assignment.  See the Using Turnitin within Blackboard web page for detailed instructions regarding how to set up the initial Turnitin assignment.

Step 2:  Synchronize the Blackboard Roster with Turnitin

Under the Control Panel at the lower left of your Blackboard course, expand the Course Tools section and select Turnitin Assignment.

• Click on the linked name for the Turnitin Assignment created in step 1 above.
• Click on Roster Sync.

Step 3: Create a PeerMark Assignment

To create a PeerMark assignment in Blackboard:

• Select a content area (e.g. Course Material) in the Blackboard course.
• With Edit Mode "on", click on Assessments and select Turnitin Assignment from the drop-down menu.
• Once the Turnitin page opens, select the "Assignment Type": PeerMark Assignment.
• Click the Next Step button.
• Select the existing Turnitin Assignment created in Step 1 that will become the basis of the PeerMark activity from the drop down box.
• Assign a Point value for the PeerMark phase of the assignment.  Those are the points that will be given to the student reviewers for their reviews.  Optionally, you may click on the box to Award full points if review is written.
• Click on the Show more options link.  Review the settings and make decisions regarding
• Assignment title
• Assignment description and/or instructions
• Additional Settings
• Allow students to view author and reviewer names
• Allow students without a paper to review
• Establish the Start, Due, and Post dates and times for the PeerMark assignment.
• Click on Show more options.  Review the settings and make decisions regarding  whether to
• Allow submitters to read all papers after Start date
• Allow students to read ALL papers and ALL reviews after Post date
• Specify the last date for papers to be submitted and still be included in the pool of papers to be reviewed.
• Click on Save & Continue.
• Click on the Edit link on the PeerMark Settings screen to establish how papers will be distributed and then click on the Save button.
• Click on the Show more distribution options on the PeerMark Settings  screen.  Note that you can manually pair and/or exclude students from the PeerMark assignment.
• Click on Save and Continue.
• Click on the Add Question button and begin to create the criteria your students will use to evaluate their peers’ papers.  Note that you can create your own Free Response or Scale questions, or choose items from a Sample Library.  Add as many questions as you like. When you are finished, click on Save & Finish.
• Click the Save and Finish button to finalize the PeerMark assignment.

Step 4: Viewing and Grading a PeerMark Assignment

Instructors can view the student's peer reviews, add their own reviews, and grade the reviewers through the PeerMark link within the course content area where the PeerMark Assignment has been deployed.

• Navigate to the course content area where the PeerMark assignment has been deployed (e.g. Assignments > Week 1).
• Click on the >> View link for the PeerMark assignment

Consult this Turnitin page for additional information:  PeerMark Overview