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SPECIFICTION
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WebPA

github.com

WebSelf-hosted
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Spec score 6.9 #13 of 17 in Peer Assessment Software

What it is

WebPA is an open-source, self-hosted web system for peer and self-assessment in higher-education group work. It combines peer assessments, self-assessments, and a group mark to calculate individual grades, with rubric scoring and moderation tools. Administrators download the application and configure a local instance, database credentials, and environment variables. The latest version lists PHP 7.4 or 8.0 with MySQLi, Sessions, and XML extensions enabled; Composer and the repository release page provide download routes. Standard installation does not include LTI support, but a separate connector can link WebPA with LTI-compliant environments such as Blackboard Learn, WebCT, and Moodle. Where services are available, it can synchronize memberships, groups, grades, outcomes, settings, enrolments, and timestamps; Moodle and Canvas membership and group services can use their APIs. WebPA is free and licensed under GNU GPL version 3. Loughborough support has ended, with archived documentation on GitHub and community support directed to the JISC mailing list.

Spec sheet

Purpose
WebPA is an online peer assessment system for student teams, using peer and self-grading to help determine individual grades from a group mark.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
WebPA is designed for teams of students doing group work in higher education.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audience
The project describes WebPA as an online peer assessment tool for higher education.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project site says Loughborough's support for WebPA has ended and points users to archived documentation and a JISC mailing list for community support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · webpaproject.lboro.ac.uk
Hosting
The installation instructions describe configuring the application, database credentials, and environment variables for a WebPA instance.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Initial setup
The README says to change the default admin password after logging in and delete the install folder when setup is finished.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README gives Composer as a download method and also links to the repository's release page.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integration services
The LTI Connector can use available membership, group, outcome, and settings services to synchronize enrolments, groups, grades, and synchronization timestamps.Read 7 Oct 2026 · spvsoftwareproducts.com
Learning platform integration
LTI support is not included in the standard installation and can be added with an extension.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
LTI capabilities
The LTI extension documentation describes connecting to LTI-compliant virtual learning environments and synchronizing memberships, groups, and grades when the relevant services are available.Read 4 Oct 2026 · webpaproject.lboro.ac.uk
LTI integration
The standard installation does not include LTI support; the README says it can be added with a separate extension.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintainer
The README says WebPA was originally developed by Loughborough University's Centre for Engineering and Design Education with financial support from JISC, and is maintained by open-source contributors.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Moodle and Canvas
The LTI Connector page says its memberships and groups services are also available for Moodle and Canvas instances via their APIs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · spvsoftwareproducts.com
Open source
WebPA is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Open source license
WebPA is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Pricing
The project describes WebPA as freely available for everyone to use within their teaching.Read 4 Oct 2026 · webpaproject.com
Project status
The project site says Loughborough's support for the WebPA Project has ended and archived documentation is available on GitHub.Read 4 Oct 2026 · webpaproject.lboro.ac.uk
Requirements
The README lists PHP 7.4 or 8.0, with MySQLi, Sessions, and XML extensions enabled.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security configuration
The installation README advises using environment variables for production credentials because storing sensitive credentials in a .env file could be a security risk.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security guidance
The README advises using environment variables for production credentials because storing sensitive credentials in a .env file could be a security risk.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-hosted installation
The project provides installation instructions for downloading WebPA and configuring a local instance.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Technical requirements
The README lists PHP 7.4 or 8.0 and the MySQLi, Sessions, and XML extensions as requirements for the latest version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
VLE integration
The LTI Connector page says it can integrate WebPA with LTI-compliant virtual learning environments, including Blackboard Learn, WebCT, and Moodle.Read 7 Oct 2026 · spvsoftwareproducts.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Calculates individual grades from peer and group marks
  • Includes rubric scoring and moderation
  • Self-hosted under GNU GPL version 3
  • Can synchronize groups and grades through LTI
  • Supports Moodle and Canvas APIs

Limits

  • Requires self-hosted installation and configuration
  • LTI support is not in the standard installation
  • Loughborough project support has ended
  • Requires PHP 7.4 or 8.0

Who it suits

It suits higher-education teams running their own peer-assessment service for student group work. Institutions need a compatible PHP/MySQLi setup and may add the separate LTI connector for learning-platform integration.

Verdict

WebPA provides a free, self-hosted foundation for moderated peer assessment in higher education. Its learning-platform connections require an additional extension, and ongoing support is community-based.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to WebPAAll alternatives →