This mixed-methods study investigated student perceptions of an innovative educational tool and the instructor strategies that helped change initial student resistance into acceptance and engagement. The educational tool in this study is Calibrated Peer Review (CPR)™, a web-based program that uses writing as a learning and assessment tool. Evaluations of CPR were analyzed from students in a general chemistry course over seven semesters involving 1515 students. Analysis revealed reasons for students' like or dislike of CPR and how the instructor modified implementation to provide students a more positive experience. Analysis of student perceptions suggests that successful implementation of new tools requires attention to potential sources of student resistance at the outset as well as active listening and response to student concerns.