Peer assessment in the design and construction of a reinforced concrete lintel

This case study describes a project in which students designed and constructed a reinforced concrete lintel. The main aim was to provide them with a task that would expose them to the challenges and inter-disciplinary conflicts experienced on construction sites and, in so doing, to simulate industry practice. Students worked in multi-disciplinary groups to prepare the design for a lintel, which they then handed to a peer group. This group then constructed the lintel according to this documentation, and assessed the buildability of the design as well as the efficacy and ergonomics of the documentation. The process of implementing this peer assessment exercise was challenging to staff, and was generally well received by students. Members of staff were able to identify factors which promoted and inhibited peer assessment. It was found that peer assessment, when linked with a real-life simulation in a complex coursework exercise, was worth the effort to both staff and students.