Abstract:

It is important for learning outcomes to be clear, reachable and measurable. This applies both to written learning outcomes in the curriculum and also, to some extent, for hidden learning outcomes. At course called Mathematical Seminar at the University of Iceland the goal is to have third year undergraduate students give a talk and write an essay about selected topic in mathematics. The course importance lies in the fact that it teaches students important skills for future studies which are not taught in other courses in the study program. By changing the organization of the course, implementing peer assessment and improving the learning outcomes slightly we where able to greatly improve the deliverables of the students and increase their awareness of the skill they were supposed to master. The peer assessment trains students in reviewing others work and to receive constructive criticism to improve their own work. The organization changes increase the weight of the deliverables which improves the quality. By going through the changes made we will explore the impact of them, both direct and indirect.

Keywords:

Learning outcomes, peer assessment, mathematics, undergraduate.