Case Study: McMaster University boosts student engagement and writing quality with Kritik

Moving Away from Traditional Pedagogy and Assessment Practices

McMaster University, a large institution, faced the challenge of re-evaluating its students in an online environment across multiple time zones. The traditional assessment method of multiple-choice quizzes was not effectively testing student engagement or applied knowledge. The university turned to the vendor Kritik and its peer assessment platform to move towards a more modern, competency-based pedagogy.

Using Kritik, the university's professor implemented tailored "communication capsule" activities where students applied course knowledge to real-world scenarios. The solution provided a structured peer evaluation process with customizable rubrics. The results were significant: students showed improved writing and critical thinking skills, and of 1,200 submissions, there were fewer than 20 disputed grades. Kritik helped reduce the instructor's workload while increasing student satisfaction and the quality of their work.

McMaster University

Terry Flynn

Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies and Multimedia