Transcription
Have you seen this logo in any of your online assignments? If you have, it's a Harmonize assignment. Harmonize is a tool that connects through Canvas and offers your instructors the opportunity to assign different types of assignments. While the most commonly used Harmonize assignment is a discussion, your instructors can assign other types of assignments through Harmonize as well.
This video will focus on how to complete what's called a peer review assignment in Harmonize. A peer review assignment has two parts. The first part is an assignment from your instructor that can be just about anything: a writing assignment, a presentation, a digital media creation, a photograph, and plenty more. In the second part, you will be asked to provide a formal review of at least one assignment from a classmate, although your instructor may ask you to review more than one. In your review of your classmates's work, you should give them clear and specific comments that connect directly to the assignments instructions, and you will also give them helpful suggestions for how they can improve their work.
Now, I know this might sound a lot like a discussion, but there are some key differences. Let's take a look. If you've been assigned a peer review through Harmonize, the first thing you will notice is that it looks a lot like a Harmonize discussion, except that you will not be able to see any of your classmates' posts, at least not at first. As with a discussion, you will be able to see two sets of due dates to the upper left of the assignment screen: one for the initial assignment and the second for your peer reviews. There will be two sets of instructions on the screen: assignment post instructions and peer review instructions.
First, click on the assignment post instructions link. Read the instructions and then scroll down and submit your assignment. Enter a title, and this is required, and either enter text in the text box or upload a file, depending on the instructions. After you have submitted your assignment, you will see a new box appear with a purple button stating "Start Peer Review." Click on this button, and Harmonize will open up an assignment from one of your classmates for you to review. Unlike in a discussion, you will not be able to choose which students' assignments you wish to review. You will be assigned at random by Harmonize.
Now, if you're the type of student who likes to submit assignments early, you may find that you were the first student to submit your assignment. If that is the case and there is no assignment yet available for you to review, a purple box will pop up telling you to check back later to complete your peer review.
After you click on the purple "Start Peer Review" button, the screen will open first to the instructions on how to complete a peer review. Read the instructions carefully. Then scroll down to the assignment you will need to review. When you're ready, scroll further down to "My Review" and enter your review in the text box. If your instructor has chosen anonymous submissions, a weird name will appear instead of your real name. This just means that while your classmate will see your review, they will not see your name, although your instructor will. If instead you see your real name in this location, it means that both your classmate and your instructor will see your name. Typically, you will need to enter a minimum of 200 words before Harmonize will allow you to submit your review. When you're ready, click "Publish."
After you hit "Publish," scroll down to the bottom of the page. The assignment you just reviewed will remain visible. If your instructor has assigned more than one peer review, you will see another purple "Start Peer Review" button. Click on it and repeat the review process with another classmate's assignment. You will know you have finished all parts of the assignment when you no longer see the "Start Peer Review" button and both requirements boxes at the upper left of your assignment have turned green.
When your classmates comment on your assignment, you will be able to see and reply to their comments. Your instructor may require you to submit an updated assignment based on the feedback left for you by your classmates. So, it is important that you read what they have to say. Just like with a discussion, you can reply to your classmates' comments if you have any questions about the feedback that they gave you.
If you've been assigned a Harmonize peer review in one of your classes here at KCC and need some help with it, please reach out to the CTL at ctl@amothcc.edu, by phone at 541-880-2374, or stop by building 3, room 350. We'd love to help you out.