Perhaps one of the most enjoyable classroom experiences, and one that was not totally devoid of apprehension, was waiting to see what the teacher had to say after she had set an assignment or given a test. After we had seen our grade, we would wait with bated breath to hear what was lacking and how we could do better next time. Even if I had received full marks, I would want to know how I could make it even better. My teacher’s reassurance, her warm smile, and constructive but discrete feedback was the hallmark of those school days, now a golden memory. So, what was so special about her feedback?

 

The following are some aspects worth mentioning:

Focused and relevant information 

Besides writing notes individually, it was a practice to put up the erroneous language structures or spelling on the board and then correct them as a class. This sort of specific targeting helped reinforce the correct forms quickly and effectively. 

Timely Feedback 

We were assured that we would have the results and the feedback within the week that the task had been assigned. This may be more difficult now owing to the busy workload of teachers, but electronic feedback has made the task so much easier. It is now more a matter of setting priorities and putting students first. 

Students’ Perceptions 

Apart from addressing the errors or highlighting the good points, there was a sensitivity to how the other students were reacting. The students’ emotions were always kept in mind and efforts were made to ensure that the feedback was constructive; it was always aimed at the task and never the student. 

A Two-way Street 

As a student, I was always allowed to ask questions and expected to get a rational answer for the scores or comments I had received. This allowed me to place my faith in my teacher’s credibility and judgment as well as build motivation to do better next time. 

Positive and Negative Feedback 

While both types of feedback are important, it is always a good idea to give more importance to the positive as compared to the negative feedback. The higher ratio of positive feedback helps to improve motivation and keep students engaged. 

What happens after the Feedback? 

After giving feedback, the teacher can watch the students’ performance on similar tasks to look for improvement, greater accuracy and fewer errors. Observation during lessons and analyzing students’ work (take note of previous grades and see if there are any changes – positive or negative – in the performance of the present task) are the easiest ways to go about it. 

Key Factors for Analyzing Feedback 

Teachers’ Beliefs 

While teachers’ beliefs about assessment and feedback affect how they implement feedback practices, the golden rule is to always have the students’ interest at heart and ensure that the feedback is not only objective but also relevant. It is also not a one-off activity but an integral part of teaching. 

Student Interaction 

Effective feedback can actively engage students in the learning process. It can help develop a healthy relationship with the teacher, induce positivity and make for inclusive classrooms where students can expect to be evaluated for their work. 

Contextual Factors 

Some important factors which teachers should keep in mind are the grade level, subject matter and the learning environment. These crucial aspects can affect how feedback is delivered and how it is used. Teachers should be mindful about their teaching environment and adjust accordingly. For example, younger children might need explicit instruction and feedback more often and be rewarded with treats (candy) for a job well done. On the other hand, older children would appreciate verbal or written praise instead. 

While feedback is pivotal to teaching, it is also important to realize that teacher feedback is a cyclical process which is constantly evolving. The teacher sets a task, gives a grade and feedback, discusses with the student or the class, and then sets another follow-up task to monitor and assess any improvements in the performance followed by correction and feedback. This continues until the student attains enough mastery to move to a higher level.  

Looking back and thinking of all the teachers I had, the best ones were those who gave me the most feedback. In fact, the more positive the feedback, the more successful the learning was!