Providing students with meaningful feedback can greatly enhance students learning and achievement. As educators we hear this line on an almost weekly basis… but what shape or format does ‘great feedback’ take? What does it look like in live practice? What’s the formula for fantastic feedback?
¹Professor James Pennebaker from the University of Texas at Austin has been researching the benefits of frequent testing and the feedback it leads to. He explains that in the history of the study of learning, the role of feedback has always been central: “When people are trying to learn new skills, they must get some information that tells them whether or not they are doing the right thing. Learning in the classroom is no exception. Both the mastery of content and, more importantly, the mastery of how to think require trial-and-error learning.”
The downside, of course, is that not all feedback is equally effective, and it can even be counterproductive at times. Especially if it’s presented in a solely negative or corrective way. As educators, the last thing we want to do is dishearten students and leave them feeling lost when it comes to improving.
So, the question is, what exactly are the most effective ways to use feedback in educational settings?
Recently in CPD we covered a range of feedback models that can be used to tackle this dilemma. CLICK HERE “to go to - Feedback Models CPD Slides”.
From the activities and conversations within the session, five top tips emerged, regardless of which model or style of feedback staff were using. These tips were:
· Be as specific as possible – focus on the work not the student.
· When it comes to feedback – the sooner the better.
· Give the learner a goal – how can they move forwards.
· Present the feedback carefully – consider the environment and the student’s current state.
· Involvement – get the learner involved in the process.
Reflect on the last time you gave feedback… as a mental checklist, how many of the above points can you tick off? Consider how you could add any you missed to your next feedback session!
Staff left this CPD session with three questions to consider:
1. When and how often will you give feedback?
2. How will you create a safe and supportive feedback environment?
3. What steps could you implement now to plan more effectively for giving feedback?
It is important to remember there is no one size fits all approach for feedback. Each situation, piece of work and student are unique. That being said, we would love to hear back from some of you with your thoughts on the above questions. If you want to share or discuss these, please get in touch!
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