Research in the Teaching of English Nov 2018

Portal and Gatekeeper: How Peer Feedback Functions in a High School Writing Class

Valerie L. Marsh University of Rochester

Abstract

To counter inequitable, hierarchical classroom structures, research in the fields of language and literacy studies often looks to the affordances of online spaces, such as affinity spaces, for learning that is collaborative and knowledge that is distributed; yet, researchers continue to locate theirstudies in virtual spaces, outside classroom walls. This study, situated in a high school writing class, repositions the familiar classroom practice of peer feedback as a way to access affinity space features. Using qualitative case study design and grounded theory analysis, the study reveals that,when supported by an emphasis on social connection, the practice of peer feedback served as a portal for students with a range of writing experience and interest to collaborate and exchange honest feedback, practices indicative of affinity space features. Yet, traditional expectations preserved teacher roles and student roles in ways that prevented the class from more fully accessing the affinity space features of distributed expertise, porous leadership, and role flexibility. Discussion expands the field’s understanding of affinity spaces and their application in physical classrooms by outlining new features, theorizing these classroom spaces, and advocating for a reimagine dvision of peer feedback in ELA classrooms where role reciprocity and flexibility resist traditional,inequitable classroom structures.

Journal
Research in the Teaching of English
Published
2018-11-15
DOI
10.58680/rte201829865
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Topics
writing pedagogy teacher development collaborative writing qualitative research literacy studies
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Davis et al. (2025)
    Editors’ Introduction: Gatekeeping, Complexity, and Connection
    College Composition and Communication

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