Peer assessment refers to the process of students assessing and providing feedback on the work of their peers. In this scenario, the teacher is asking the students to assess their classmates during a debate competition. The focus of this assessment is on peer assessment.

Peer assessment is a valuable tool in the classroom as it promotes active learning, encourages self-reflection, and develops critical thinking skills. It allows students to take ownership of their learning and provides them with the opportunity to evaluate their own performance as well as the performance of their peers.

Benefits of Peer Assessment:
1. Active Learning: Peer assessment requires students to actively engage in the learning process by critically evaluating and analyzing the work of their peers. This promotes deeper understanding and knowledge retention.

2. Self-reflection: By assessing their peers' work, students gain insight into their own strengths and weaknesses. They are able to reflect on their own performance and identify areas for improvement.

3. Constructive Feedback: Peer assessment encourages students to provide constructive feedback to their peers. This helps them develop their communication and interpersonal skills, as well as their ability to give and receive feedback effectively.

4. Different Perspectives: Peer assessment allows students to view their work from different perspectives. They are exposed to different ideas, approaches, and strategies, which enhances their learning experience.

5. Reduced Bias: Peer assessment helps to reduce bias in grading. Students are more likely to provide fair and unbiased assessments as they are not influenced by authority figures or personal biases.

6. Collaboration and Teamwork: Peer assessment promotes collaboration and teamwork. Students are encouraged to work together, discuss their assessments, and come to a consensus on the evaluations.

Conclusion:
In this scenario, the teacher is utilizing peer assessment to assess the students' performance during the debate competition. This form of assessment not only provides valuable feedback to the students but also fosters a collaborative and supportive learning environment. It empowers students to take responsibility for their own learning and encourages them to improve their skills through self-reflection and constructive feedback.