ComPair
What is ComPair
ComPAIR is a peer assessment and feedback application in which students first answer an assignment and then compare and respond to pairs of peer answers. For each pair, students pick the answer they think better meets instructor-set criteria (e.g., “Which is better articulated?”, “Which is more accurate?”) and write feedback to each peer. (The above paragraph is attributed to The University of British Columbia)
What is the purpose of ComPair
The purpose of ComPAIR is to support peer assessment and feedback. It makes it possible for students to anonymously swap assignments and compare assignments to one another. It also facilitates students’ evaluation of their peers’ work based upon instructor-guided criteria. As a result, students not only critically engage with reviewing and judging the work of their peers, they receive feedback from different perspectives that might be used in their learning and performance improvement.
How to use ComPair
Derek McLachlin (Biochemistry) has been an Institutional leader at Western in piloting and utilizing ComPAIR for his courses. To gain access to the ComPAIR platform please contact Derek directly.
Where to find Support
This tool is not centrally supported
Help and Documentation
This tool is not centrally supported. For help, please refer to the tool’s help documentation.
Supported Tools to Consider
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
 |
ScaleThe tool can be scaled to accommodate any size class with the flexibility to customize assignments |
|
Ease of UseThe tool has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize for both instructor and students |
|
Tech Support/Help AvailabilityIn-person or email based technical support is readily available and aids users in troubleshooting tasks or solving problems experienced. Developers monitor a Google chat |
|
HypermedialityThe tool allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material. Allows students to upload a range 250mb WEBM. MP4, PDFs, JPEGs text, figures, graphs |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
 |
AODA FriendlyThe accessibility of ComPAIR is not well known or well-tested. While there is reason to believe it has few limitations in meeting accessibility standards, this cannot be confirmed at this time. Instructors should proceed with caution, flagging any accessibility issues for developers and IT management. |
|
User-focused participationThe tool is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning - chance to see, recieve and give feedback, exposure to peer’s works. |
|
Required EquipmentProper use of the tool does not require equipment other than a computer and access to the internet. |
Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
|
OWL IntegrationThe tool can be embedded and fully integrated into OWL maintaining full functionality of the tool. Opens in new window. Prompt log in at first engagement but then they are logged in. |
|
Operating SystemsUsers can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Windows 10, Apple OSX, etc.) |
|
Web BrowserUsers can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date web browser (i.e. Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer 10 etc.) |
|
Additional Tech RequirementsUsers can effectively utilize the tool without any browser extensions or downloaded software. |
Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
|
Mobile Operating SystemsThe tool is fully functional with a range of electronic mobile devices (laptops, tablets, touchscreens, mobile devices, etc.) |
|
Mobile FunctionalityThere is little to no mobile app for ComPAIR. The tool can be accessed on a mobile devise through a web browser - through which there is no functional difference in engagement. |
|
Offline AccessThe platform cannot be used in any capacity offline. |
Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
 |
Sign Up/Sign InAn instructor account/login is required but students are not required to create an external account or additional log in - create a user name, student number not necessary. Information kept on Western serve. |
|
Cost of UseAll aspects of the tool can be used free of charge. No fees for students or instructors. |
|
Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataUsers can archive, save, or import and export content or activity data in a variety of formats. Different types of reports - basic participation report, research report (detailed), compiled peer feedback report. |
 |
Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data. Servers are local to Western and information, keeping data stored here. |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
|
CollaborationThe tool has the capacity to support a community of learning through asynchronous but not synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users. |
|
User AccountabilityInstructors can control student anonymity; The tool provides technical solutions for holding students accountable for their actions. Students are anonymous to one another but instructors can see student names. Students have control over their display name. |
|
DiffusionStudent familiarity with the tool is likely mixed, some will lack basic technical competence with its functions. |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
|
FacilitationThe tool has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagement. |
|
CustomizationTool is adaptable to its environment: easily customized to suit the classroom context and targeted learning outcomes. Instructor control of prompting questions. |
|
Learning AnalyticsInstructor can monitor students’ performance on a variety of responsive measures. See student’s replies. |
Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
|
Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)The tool enhances engagement in targeted cognitive task(s) that were once overly complex or inconceivable through other means. Distribution of anonymized material. |
|
Higher Order ThinkingUse of the tool easily facilitates students to exercise higher order thinking skills (given consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor). |
|
Feedback on LearningThrough the tool, students can be prompted to reflect on the feedback they’ve received from their peers. Feedback is highly valuable as formative as it comes from peers rather than the instructor. |
Security and Privacy
This tool has not been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Last Updated: September 16, 2020
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
ComPAIR is a peer assessment and feedback application that enables students to swap assignments and provide feedback on instructor-guided criteria.
