- Center for Instructional Technology & Training -

SWoRD is a Reciprocal Evaluation tool that allows students to peer-evaluate papers. There are several steps to the SWoRD process including:

The students write their first draft and upload it to SWoRD by the due date.
Each student is randomly assignmed X papers to evaluate.
The student logs back in to the system and downloads the papers that they were assigned to evaluate. Each student is given a unique username so the evaluations remain anonymous to other students. Instructors have the capability to see which student assessed which paper.
The student gives suggestions for improvement based on a set of criteria.
The student rates the paper on a scale using a set of anchors.
The student then logs back into the system rewrites their paper based on the critiques given by thier peers.
The student rates their reviewers (back review) based on the quality and effectiveness of the critiques that were given.
Any statiscally significant differences in the review process are adjusted to ensure the validity of the review process. For example, if 4 students give a paper an "A" grade and one student gives the paper an "F" grade the "F" grade is adjusted to be more statistically accurate with the other grades.
Grades for each paper are based 50% on the paper and 50% on the quality of review that the writer gave to others.

Requires very little work for the instructor - puts the impetus of grading on the student.
Has multiple checks and balances in place to ensure validity of scoring
Provides an opportunity for collaboration among peers.
SWoRD research has shown that evaluations by experts generate more feedback but that evaluation by multiple peers produce more complex revisions by the student.
Allows for writing assignments to be given in large enrollment classes.
Provides opportunities for students to evaluate others - thus providing opportunities to practice critical thinking skills.
Assists students/instructors/courses in reaching Gordon Rule requirements.
SWoRD supports the whole cycle of writing, reviews, back-reviews, and rewriting by scaffolding the journal publication process as its authentic practice model.

An example of SWoRD is coming soon!

The Instructor creates a SWoRD account.
The Instrudctor creates a course in SWoRD including all of the course information.
The Instructor sets up the assignment details such as which criteria will be used in evaluation, how many students will evaluate each paper, how long the students have to evaluate one another, etc.
Students create a SWoRD account (It is suggested that when students choose a psuedonym it is non-identifiable such as a Gatorlink number).
Students upload their papers and are randomly assigned X papers to evaluate.

Visit the SWoRD Instructor's Manual and Student Manual for more detailed information on how to get started with SWoRD.

SWoRD: Visit the SWoRD web site.
SWoRD: A web-based reciprocal peer review system: An article from science direct.
SWoRD - Commenting on Writing: An article from the journal Written Communication entitled "Typology and Perceived Helpfulness of Comments from Novice Peer Reviewers and Subject Matter Experts
Teaching Times: An article from the University of Pittsburgh teaching newsletter entitled "Software helps students in large classes to write and revise papers: SWoRD enables students to get feedback on writing, regardless of class size.

For information on similar tools visit:

For information on tools potentially supported by SWoRD visit:

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