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This study reports on the quantitative findings of an exploratory sequential mixed methods study in which the underlying factor structure of students' peer-feedback orientation (i.e. openness to provide and receive peer-feedback) was investigated. Building on the qualitative findings of a previous study in which the 'peer-feedback orientation' concept was introduced, an online survey was developed to collect data among higher education students (N = 148). An exploratory factor analysis produced a five-factor solution including the dimensions: accountability, communicativeness, utility, self-efficacy and receptivity. The practical value of the results lies in having a measure of students' peer-feedback orientation that provides teachers and researchers with an instrument for understanding students' dispositions toward receiving and providing peer-feedback.

Various studies advocate training students prior to a peer-feedback activity to ensure high quality of feedback. Next to investing in students' peer-feedback skills, it is important to focus on the underlying perceptions since perceptions influence learning behavior. We implemented an online peer-feedback training session in a massive open online course and examined students' perceptions of peerfeedback and training focusing on their willingness, perceived usefulness, perceived preparedness, and general attitude; and students' peer-feedback experience and its relation to their perception. Analysis of a perception survey from 259 students revealed that the amount of prior experience results in significant differences in students' perception. Students without prior peer-feedback experience scored higher on willingness, usefulness, preparedness, and general attitude compared to students with some prior experience. Those with a lot of experience showed the strongest positive perception scores. No significant differences for the effect of training on perception could be measured with the available data.

There is scarcity of research on scalable peer-feedback design and student's peer-feedback perceptions and therewith their use in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). To address this gap, this study explored the use of peer-feedback design with the purpose of getting insight into student perceptions as well as into providing design guidelines. The findings of this pilot study indicate that peer-feedback training with the focus on clarity, transparency and the possibility to practice beforehand increases students willingness to participate in future peer-feedback activities and training, increases their perceived usefulness, preparedness and general attitude regarding peer-feedback. The results of this pilot will be used as a basis for future large-scale experiments to compare different designs.

Abstract. In this study we explored the use of a research assignment on instructional design of MOOCs by MOOC students. The use of a research assignment was expected to be of interest for both students and the designer. The assignment is based on a framework to analyse MOOC designs with the objective to identify best practices. It builds on four principles: constructive alignment, task complexity, interaction and formative feedback. The exploration indicates that students positively appreciate this kind of assignments. Moreover, the crowdsourcing alike approach showed to be a valuable way for MOOC designers to get awarded with data gathered by their participants. The participants, be it a small sample, were able to apply the framework to analyse MOOCs and identify best practices. We will discuss the framework and the results of its application. Finally, we will conclude with the experiences of the users.