RM Compare - Assessment for Learning: Peer learning and beyond

By Mark House

This is the second in a 3 part series looking at Assessment as AS learning, FOR learning and OF learning.

Assessment for learning (AfL) is about using assessment as a formative tool to support ongoing student development. RM Compare’s Adaptive Comparative Judgement (ACJ) technology enhances this process by embedding peer learning into assessment activities—making them more engaging, reflective, and impactful. The platform’s key functionalities, including Contributing Judges, Item Feedback, and Judge Feedback, work together to create a dynamic environment where students learn actively from each other while educators gain valuable insights.

Peer Learning with RM Compare: The Evidence

Research and practice demonstrate that RM Compare transforms peer learning from an abstract idea into a practical, scalable, and highly effective approach:

  • Intuitive Peer Assessment: Students find the process of making comparative judgments straightforward. By comparing a diverse range of peer work, learners develop a nuanced understanding of 'what good looks like' beyond traditional methods.
  • Ownership and Engagement: The “Contributing Judges” feature allows students to upload their own work and act as judges. This dual role fosters ownership, increases engagement, and reduces teacher workload.
  • Instant, Multi-Perspective Feedback: After judging, students receive anonymised rank orders and feedback from multiple peers. This immediate, formative feedback helps learners refine their work and deepen their understanding.
  • Metacognitive and Reflective Skills: Engaging in peer assessment through RM Compare encourages students to evaluate critically and reflect on their own learning, supporting the development of evaluative judgement and self-regulation.

Key RM Compare Functionality Supporting Assessment for Learning

Contributing Judges

  • Students can upload their own items into the session, becoming “Contributing Judges.” This functionality supports peer learning by enabling students to assess and receive feedback on their own work.
  • Contributing Judges can view real-time feedback on their items, see how their work is ranked, and understand peer perceptions—fostering ownership and motivation.
  • This feature facilitates innovative session designs where peer assessment is central, encouraging active participation and deeper engagement.

Item Feedback

  • RM Compare allows the addition of Item Feedback, where judges can comment on specific pieces of work as they evaluate them.
  • Item Feedback is aggregated and made available to the student who submitted the item, providing rich, formative insights from multiple peers.
  • This feedback supports ongoing improvement and reflection, key components of AfL.

Judge Feedback

  • Judges can also add Judgement Feedback—explanations of why they made particular decisions—which can be used to understand decision-making processes and improve judging consistency.
  • Feedback can be linked to specific judgments or items, providing detailed insights into the evaluative criteria used.
  • This feature enhances formative assessment by encouraging judges to articulate their reasoning, which helps learners understand the standards more clearly and develop their evaluative skills.
  • The feedback data is accessible in real-time and in reports, enabling educators to monitor judgment quality and provide targeted support.

Four Pedagogical Benefits of Peer Assessment with RM Compare

  • Exposure to a wide variety of peer work, broadening understanding of quality.
  • Deep internalisation of standards through comparative judgement.
  • Articulation and reinforcement of understanding via feedback.
  • Formative, actionable feedback from multiple peers, supporting continuous improvement.

Conclusion

RM Compare is revolutionising Assessment for Learning by making peer learning accessible, scalable, and deeply engaging. Features like Contributing Judges, Item Feedback, and Judge Feedback empower students to actively participate in their assessment journey—learning from each other, internalising standards, and developing critical evaluative skills. Through intuitive comparative judgement, immediate feedback, and collaborative reflection, RM Compare transforms assessment into a powerful driver of ongoing learning and improvement.