Students' self-assessment of assignments - is it worth it?

Self-assessment refers to the involvement of learners in making judgements about their own learning, particularly about their achievements and the outcomes of their learning (Boud & Falchikov, 1989). Enhanced learning and professional development are the desirable end effect of self-assessment. However, questions are often raised about the reliability (i.e. accuracy and consistency) of students' self-assessment. Recent studies have revealed substantial discrepancies in students' self-assessment performance in terms of accuracy and consistency, potentially leading to the rejection of self-assessment. Hence, understanding the scope and limitations of students' self-assessment is critical.