Online peer-dynamic assessment: an approach to boosting Iranian high school students’ writing skills: a mixed-methods study
Abstract
The purpose of this study is three-fold. First, to explore the effects of online peer-dynamic assessment (Peer-DA), rooted in the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) notion, on boosting Iranian high school students’ writing skills. Second, to disclose how online Peer-DA can lead to improving the participants’ writing skills. Third, to disclose their perceptions of the effectiveness of online Peer-DA in boosting writing skills. To these aims, one intact grade 11 class, including female students (n = 18) was selected randomly. The class went through pre-test, intervention, immediate post-test, and delayed post-test procedures. Additionally, the peers’ interactions were recorded meticulously and one-third of the students were selected randomly and invited to a focus-group interview. The data were analyzed through a repeated measure ANOVA, a microgenetic development approach, and a content analysis approach. Findings evidenced a significant improvement in the students’ writing skills on the immediate post-test and the delayed post-test. Also, the microgenetic development analysis documented that the contingent prompts led to improving the students’ writing performance. Besides, the findings of the focus group interview evidenced that the students had positive attitudes toward the online Peer-DA. Finally, a range of implications is offered for relevant stakeholders.ABBREVIATIONS: Peer-DA: Peer dynamic assessment; ZPD: Zone of proximal development; SCT: Sociocultural theory
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The literature on delayed post-tests highlights the sustainability of the impact and retention of writing skills.
“In fact, the literature on delayed post-tests highlights the sustainability of the impact and retention of writing skills (Rezai et al., 2022).”
From Impact of ChatGPT on ESL students’ academic writing skills: a mixed methods intervention study (2024) · cites this paper as Rezai et al., 2022
Cites
(1978) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 53,488 · see citing works
The Study of Second Language Acquisition
Brown, C., & Ellis, R. (1996) · Modern Language Journal · doi:10.2307/329065 · Cited by 4,200 · see citing works
Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Learning
Lantolf, J. P. (2013) · Cited by 3,852 · see citing works
Teaching English as a second or foreign language
Celce‐Murcia, M. (1991) · Cited by 2,913 · see citing works
Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
(2021) · Research methods in applied linguistics · doi:10.1075/rmal · Cited by 2,782 · see citing works
The Study of Second Language Acquisition
Ellis, R. (2006) · Cited by 2,561 · see citing works
Principles of Language Learning and Teaching
Brown, H. D., & Lee, H. (2025) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781003494294 · Cited by 2,140 · see citing works
Second language research : Methodology and Design
Mackey, A., & Gass, S. M. (2005) · Cited by 1,879 · see citing works
Windhorst, D. (2011) · Brock Education Journal · doi:10.26522/brocked.v20i2.172 · Cited by 1,847 · see citing works
Nunan, D. (2004) · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511667336 · Cited by 1,823 · see citing works
Negative Feedback as Regulation and Second Language Learning in the Zone of Proximal Development
Aljaafreh, A., & Lantolf, J. P. (1994) · Modern Language Journal · doi:10.1111/j.1540-4781.1994.tb02064.x · Cited by 1,222 · see citing works
Second Language Research: Methodology and Design
Akbarian, I. (2019) · RELC Journal · doi:10.1177/0033688217707630 · Cited by 841 · see citing works
Principles of Language Learning and Teaching
Schafer, J. C., & Brown, H. D. (1981) · College Composition and Communication · doi:10.2307/356699 · Cited by 722 · see citing works
Second Language Learning Theories
Mitchell, R., Myles, F., & Marsden, E. J. (2013) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203770795 · Cited by 703 · see citing works
The Psychology of the Language Learner
Dörnyei, Z. (2014) · doi:10.4324/9781410613349 · Cited by 700 · see citing works
WhatsApp Goes to School: Mobile Instant Messaging between Teachers and Students
Bouhnik, D., & Deshen, M. (2014) · Journal of Information Technology Education Research · doi:10.28945/2051 · Cited by 667 · see citing works
Learning‐oriented assessment: conceptual bases and practical implications
Carless, D. R. (2007) · Innovations in Education and Teaching International · doi:10.1080/14703290601081332 · Cited by 639 · see citing works
Sociocultural theory and the teaching of second languages
Lantolf, J. P., & Poehner, M. E. (2008) · Cited by 632 · see citing works
McConnell, S. R. (2002) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1023/a:1020537805154 · Cited by 579 · see citing works
Hyland, K. (2006) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203006603 · Cited by 493 · see citing works
Sociocultural Theory and the Pedagogical Imperative in L2 Education
Lantolf, J. P., & Poehner, M. E. (2014) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203813850 · Cited by 474 · see citing works
Teaching and Researching Writing
Hyland, K. (2015) · doi:10.4324/9781315717203 · Cited by 474 · see citing works
Nassaji, H., & Swain, M. (2000) · Language Awareness · doi:10.1080/09658410008667135 · Cited by 466 · see citing works
Ravitch, D. (2010) · Cited by 453 · see citing works
Second Language Acquisition Processes in the Classroom
Ohta, A. S. (2001) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781410604712 · Cited by 432 · see citing works
Dynamic assessment in the language classroom
Poehner, M. E., & Lantolf, J. P. (2005) · Language Teaching Research · doi:10.1191/1362168805lr166oa · Cited by 428 · see citing works
Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Acquisition
Lantolf, J. P., & Pavlenko, A. (1995) · Annual Review of Applied Linguistics · doi:10.1017/s0267190500002646 · Cited by 425 · see citing works
Dynamic Assessment in Practice: Clinical and Educational Applications
Haywood, H. C., & Lidz, C. S. (2006) · Cited by 380 · see citing works
Dynamic assessment in the classroom: Vygotskian praxis for second language development
Lantolf, J. P., & Poehner, M. E. (2011) · Language Teaching Research · doi:10.1177/1362168810383328 · Cited by 355 · cited 2× · see citing works
“The study ’ s results, indeed, lend credence to the perspectives of Poehner (2009) and Lantolf and Poehner (2010), stating that using contingent and graduated mediation in DA approaches is so useful to assist students to reach their own ZPDs and ascertain the ways to fi ll in their learning gaps.”
BackgroundResultWeb‐based peer assessment: feedback for students with various thinking‐styles
Lin, S. S. J., Liu, E. Z. F., & Yuan, S. (2001) · Journal of Computer Assisted Learning · doi:10.1046/j.0266-4909.2001.00198.x · Cited by 305 · see citing works
Dynamic assessment : prevailing models and applications
Lidz, C. S., & Elliott, J. (2000) · JAI eBooks · Cited by 285 · see citing works
E‐learning markets and providers: some issues and prospects
Fry, K. (2001) · Education + Training · doi:10.1108/eum0000000005484 · Cited by 274 · see citing works
Poehner, M. E., & Lantolf, J. P. (2013) · Language Teaching Research · doi:10.1177/1362168813482935 · Cited by 243 · see citing works
Group Dynamic Assessment: Mediation for the L2 Classroom
Poehner, M. E. (2009) · TESOL Quarterly · doi:10.1002/j.1545-7249.2009.tb00245.x · Cited by 240 · see citing works
Examining student decisions to adopt Web 2.0 technologies: theory and empirical tests
Hartshorne, R., & Ajjan, H. (2009) · Journal of Computing in Higher Education · doi:10.1007/s12528-009-9023-6 · Cited by 220 · see citing works
Dynamic Assessment of Advanced Second Language Learners
Antón, M. (2009) · Foreign Language Annals · doi:10.1111/j.1944-9720.2009.01030.x · Cited by 211 · see citing works
The Routledge Encyclopedia of Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
Riazi, A. M. (2016) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315656762 · Cited by 191 · see citing works
Conceptions of and approaches to learning through online peer assessment
Yang, Y., & Tsai, C. (2009) · Learning and Instruction · doi:10.1016/j.learninstruc.2009.01.003 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
Dynamic Assessment of the Evolving Cognitive Functions in Children
Lidz, C. S., & Gindis, B. (2003) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511840975.007 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Poehner, M. E., Zhang, J., & Lu, X. (2014) · Language Testing · doi:10.1177/0265532214560390 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Developing science activities through a networked peer assessment system
Tsai, C.-C., Lin, S. S. J., & Yuan, S.-M. (2002) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/s0360-1315(01)00069-0 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Dynamic Assessment in Practice
Haywood, H. C., & Lidz, C. S. (2006) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511607516 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
Carter, R. (2003) · ELT Journal · doi:10.1093/elt/57.1.64 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Dynamic assessment, tutor mediation and academic writing development
Shrestha, P., & Coffin, C. (2011) · Assessing Writing · doi:10.1016/j.asw.2011.11.003 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Assessment in the Second Language Writing Classroom
Crusan, D. J. (2010) · doi:10.3998/mpub.770334 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Birjandi, P., & Hadidi Tamjid, N. (2012) · Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education · doi:10.1080/02602938.2010.549204 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Ėlʹkonin, D. B. (2005) · Journal of Russian and East European Psychology · doi:10.1080/10610405.2005.11059245 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Applications and Challenges in Dynamic Assessment
Haywood, H. C., & Tzuriel, D. (2002) · Peabody Journal of Education · doi:10.1207/s15327930pje7702_5 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Tsai, C.-C., & Liang, J.-C. (2009) · Instructional Science · doi:10.1007/s11251-007-9047-0 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Student Collaboration and Teacher‐Directed Classroom Dynamic Assessment: A Complementary Pairing
Davin, K. J., & Donato, R. (2013) · Foreign Language Annals · doi:10.1111/flan.12012 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Study of the abnormal child: Special session, 1960.
Luria, A. R. (1961) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.1961.tb02104.x · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Mediated Development: A Vygotskian Approach to Transforming Second Language Learner Abilities
Poehner, M. E., & Infante, P. (2016) · TESOL Quarterly · doi:10.1002/tesq.308 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Russell, J., Elton, L., Swinglehurst, D., & Greenhalgh, T. (2006) · Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education · doi:10.1080/02602930600679209 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Diagnosing L2 learners’ development through online computerized dynamic assessment
Kamrood, A. M., Davoudi, M., Ghaniabadi, S., & Amirian, S. M. R. (2019) · Computer Assisted Language Learning · doi:10.1080/09588221.2019.1645181 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
THE OXFORD HANDBOOK OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS
Dörnyei, Z. (2005) · Studies in Second Language Acquisition · doi:10.1017/s0272263105370288 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Implementing online ELT in the time of crisis: ordeal or opportunity?
Hai-feng, P. (2020) · ELT Journal · doi:10.1093/elt/ccaa030 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
The Psychological Assessment of Children with Learning Difficulties
Elliott, J. G. (2000) · British Journal of Special Education · doi:10.1111/1467-8527.00161 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Group Dynamic Assessment: An Inventory of Mediational Strategies for Teaching Listening
Alavi, S. M., Kaivanpanah, S., & Shabani, K. (2012) · Journal of teaching language skills · doi:10.22099/jtls.2011.370 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Alavi, S. M., & Taghizadeh, M. (2014) · Educational Assessment · doi:10.1080/10627197.2014.869446 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Scaffolding English language learners for online collaborative writing activities
Such, B. (2019) · Interactive Learning Environments · doi:10.1080/10494820.2019.1579233 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
An exploration into EFL learners’ writing skills via mobile-based dynamic assessment
Ebadi, S., & Bashir, S. (2020) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-020-10348-4 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Learning potential and cognitive modifiability
Kozulin, A. (2011) · Assessment in Education Principles Policy and Practice · doi:10.1080/0969594x.2010.526586 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Kao, Y., & Kuo, H.-C. (2021) · Interactive Learning Environments · doi:10.1080/10494820.2021.1876738 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Estaji, M., & Farahanynia, M. (2019) · Educational Assessment · doi:10.1080/10627197.2019.1578169 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Scenario-Based Assessments in Writing: An Experimental Study
Zhang, M., van Rijn, P. W., Deane, P., & Bennett, R. E. (2019) · Educational Assessment · doi:10.1080/10627197.2018.1557515 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Incorporating formative assessment in Iranian EFL writing: a case study
Naghdipour, B. (2016) · The Curriculum Journal · doi:10.1080/09585176.2016.1206479 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Internet-Based Peer Assessment in High School Settings
Tsai, C. (2009) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/978-1-60566-120-9.ch046 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Tabatabaee, M. (2018) · Applied Linguistics Research Journal · doi:10.14744/alrj.2018.36854 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
The teacher as self-observer: self-monitoring in teacher development
Richards, J. C. (1990) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511667152.009 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Dynamic assessment of writing ability in transcendence tasks based on Vygotskian perspective
Farrokh, P., & Rahmani, A. (2017) · Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education · doi:10.1186/s40862-017-0033-z · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Constructing Dynamic Assessment Mode in College English Writing Class
Yan-hon, Z. (2010) · Jiefangjun Waiyu Xueyuan xuebao · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Glutting, J. J., & McDermott, P. A. (1990) · The Journal of Special Education · doi:10.1177/002246699002400209 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
I Just Think Maybe You Could… Peer Critiquing through Online Conversations
Rubin, L. (2002) · Teaching English in the Two-Year College · doi:10.58680/tetyc20022022 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Vakili, S., Ebadi, S., & Popescu, M. M. (2019) · Cogent Education · doi:10.1080/2331186x.2019.1571289 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Dynamic Assessment of Composing Abilities in Children With Learning Disabilities
Cioffi, G., & Carney, J. J. (1997) · Educational Assessment · doi:10.1207/s15326977ea0403_2 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Ibrahim, A. A., Hafiz, H., & Idris, R. G. (2015) · Journal of creative writing. · doi:10.70771/jocw.v1i4.19 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Besharati, F. (2018) · Iranian Journal of English for Academic Purposes · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Group Dynamic Assessment in an EFL Classroom: Do Secondary Interactants Benefit?
Ashtarian, S., Ebadi, S., & Yousofi, N. (2018) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
5 of the 83 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Impact of ChatGPT on ESL students’ academic writing skills: a mixed methods intervention study
Mahapatra, S. (2024) · Smart Learning Environments · doi:10.1186/s40561-024-00295-9 · Cited by 398 · see citing works
Rezai, A., Ahmadi, R., Ashkani, P., & Hosseini, G. H. (2025) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104704 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Self-citationNguyen, T. Q., Ngọc, P. T. Á., Phuong, H. A., Duy, D. P. T., Hiep, P. C., McClelland, R., & Noroozi, O. (2024) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-024-12585-3 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Azizi, Z., & Khafaga, A. F. (2023) · Journal of Psycholinguistic Research · doi:10.1007/s10936-023-09935-6 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Zahari, M., Marini, A., Safitri, D., Dewiyani, L., & Muawanah, U. (2025) · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · doi:10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101286 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Rezai, A., Ashkani, P., & Ismail, S. M. (2023) · Journal of Psycholinguistic Research · doi:10.1007/s10936-023-09934-7 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Self-citationLi, L. L., Mao, G., Zhang, L., & Ying, J. (2025) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-025-13849-2 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Rezai, A. (2023) · Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education · doi:10.1186/s40862-022-00179-w · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citationGoodarzi, A., & Namaziandost, E. (2025) · Computers in Human Behavior Reports · doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100584 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Xiao, Y. (2024) · English Language Teaching · doi:10.5539/elt.v17n2p37 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Chen, C. (2025) · Learning and Motivation · doi:10.1016/j.lmot.2025.102122 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Naserpour, A., & Rezai, A. (2026) · Computers in Human Behavior Reports · doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100918 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationKarimpour, S., & Behbahani, H. K. (2024) · European Journal of Education · doi:10.1111/ejed.12887 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Karimpour, S., & Behbahani, H. K. (2025) · Computer Assisted Language Learning · doi:10.1080/09588221.2025.2511053
Chun, I. J. (2025) · Language Teaching Research · doi:10.1177/13621688251368635
Khaghaninejad, M. S., & Mamasani, M. (2026) · Language Testing in Asia · doi:10.1186/s40468-026-00435-7
- Authors
- Rezai, A., Naserpour, A., & Rahimi, S.
- Affiliations
- Ayatollah Boroujerdi University (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Rezai, Afsheen
- Venue
- Interactive Learning Environments
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2022-06-19
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 306-324
- ISSN
- 1049-4820 (ISSN-L)
- 1744-5191
- OpenAlex
- W4283120362
- Cited by
- 16
- References
- 83
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 5.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Interactive Learning Environments (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational and Psychological Assessments
- Social Sciences › Education › Student Assessment and Feedback
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning
- Keywords
- writing skills, zone of proximal development, sociocultural theory, peer interaction, Iranian high school students, female students, student perceptions, writing instruction
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review