Feedback Strategies

Feedback is a compelling influence on learner achievement. When teachers seek or at least are open to what learners know, what they understand, where they make errors, when they have misconceptions when they are not engaged - then teaching and learning can be synchronised and powerful. Feedback to teachers makes learning visible

Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning, Oxford, UK: Routledge, p173​

Designing Feedback Strategies

In education, a feedback strategy is a systematic approach to providing feedback to students on their learning progress and performance. The goal of a feedback strategy is to help students understand their strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement and make progress towards their learning goals.

Each of these needs to be thought of in terms of ‘effective and efficient’. Does it have a high impact on those reading the information and does it do so in a manner that can easily be digested?

Delaying the Grade: How to Get Students to Read Feedback

A feedback strategy in education is a systematic approach to providing feedback to students on their learning progress and performance. The goal of a feedback strategy is to help students understand their strengths and weaknesses, set goals for improvement and take ownership of their learning.

A feedback strategy typically includes the following elements:

Clear learning objectives: The teacher sets clear learning objectives and communicates them to students.

Ongoing assessment: The teacher provides ongoing assessment of student learning, using a variety of methods such as formative assessments, quizzes, assignments and class discussions.

Timely feedback: The teacher provides timely and specific feedback to students on their progress towards the learning objectives.

Self-reflection: The teacher encourages students to reflect on their learning process (metacognition), their learning progress and identify areas for improvement.

Goal setting: The teacher helps students set goals for improvement based on the feedback provided.

Action planning: The teacher helps students develop action plans to achieve their goals.

By using a systematic feedback strategy, teachers can help students to improve their performance, boost their confidence and become more engaged in the learning process. It is also an effective way to support student growth and development over time.

What does good feedback look like in action?

Good feedback in education is clear, specific, timely and actionable. It should provide students with information on their strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Here are some characteristics of good feedback:

• Focuses on specific learning objectives: Feedback should be tied to specific learning objectives and should provide information on how well a student has met those objectives.

• Provides actionable suggestions: Feedback should include actionable suggestions for improvement. Students should be able to use the feedback to make changes to their work or approach to learning.

• Encourages reflection: Feedback should encourage students to reflect on their learning and identify areas for improvement.

• Is delivered in a timely manner: Feedback should be delivered as soon as possible after the work has been completed. This allows students to make use of the feedback while the material is still fresh in their minds.

• Is delivered in a respectful manner: Feedback should be delivered in a respectful and constructive manner that encourages students to continue learning.

• Offers praise and recognition: Feedback should not only focus on areas for improvement but also acknowledge areas where students have done well. Positive feedback can motivate students to continue to work hard and achieve their goals.

Overall, good feedback is an essential tool for promoting student learning and growth. It helps students understand where they are in their learning journey and provides them with the information they need to make progress toward their goals.

Try some of the ideas in the next few pages.

Forms of Feedback

A feedback strategy can take many forms, depending on the specific learning objectives and the needs of individual students. Some common approaches to providing feedback in education include:

Written feedback: Written feedback is one of the most common forms of feedback in education. Teachers may provide comments on students' assignments, projects, or assessments, highlighting areas of strength and making suggestions for improvement.

Verbal feedback: Verbal feedback involves providing feedback to students in person or through video conferencing. This approach can be particularly useful for providing immediate feedback, answering questions and engaging in discussion about a student's progress.

Peer feedback: Peer feedback involves having students provide feedback to each other on their work. This approach can be beneficial for promoting collaboration, building communication skills and developing critical thinking skills.

Self-assessment: Self-assessment involves having students evaluate their own learning progress and performance. This approach can be beneficial for promoting self-reflection, encouraging metacognition and building self-confidence.

A feedback strategy can be an effective tool for promoting student learning and growth, as it provides students with valuable information and guidance to help them achieve their learning goals.

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