The importance of feedback in an online course
1) Provides the student with an assessment of their progress.
2) Allows the instructor to show correlation with the assignment and course objectives/content.
3) Enables you to guide student learning and identify areas where they may need help.
Feedback should consider:
First: the objectives rather than the means/methods in which the assignments/projects are completed. Sometimes students over think (or under think) the assignment and I find myself a little put out. But if I go back to the rubric and if they meet the objectives then my feedback should reflect that.
The second: Timely Suggestions/comments/adjustments should offer students an opportunity to adjust their responses to meet the criteria.
The Third: clear and unbiased. Thinking of objective and criteria rather than personal preferences.
Rubiela,
Yes. Feedback should be timely, positive, constructive and specific. With this type of feedback, the students can grow and improve in the learning process.
Eric,
A good sandwich is important in many settings. ;-) But, especially when giving feedback. I even put the learnig outcomes right in the rubric so we're all on the same page. Nice job.
I believe that a meaning feedback of an assignment or project should include spceific detailed about each individual requirement of the assignment, be positive and contructive and timely.
Greetings.
1)Use the sandwich approach. This is when the instructor provides the student with positive, constructive, and then end on a positive note.
2) Personalize the feedback. An instructor should never rubber stamp feedback.
3)Always link the feedback to the rubric. This will provide the student with clear and measurable feedback.
Best,
Eric Freeman
Rebecca,
I am thrilled with your response. And, you are right on target with your comments. Thank you for adding to the conversation and providing great feedback. I love that we can learn from each other through these forums. Take care.
I wanted to take an aside here to mention how much I am benefiting from this course. I appreciated the part on Exit tickets and Muddiest points -- I am going to use them indeed! Most important things to remember when developing meaningful feedback is (1) to make it personal! I choose outstanding points or phrases that impact the students's represented understanding of the assignment for EACH student. I place quote marks around the material and copy it into their feedback along with my remarks about how important their point is to the intention of the assignment. Students really appreciate seeing their own words (or even a quote they reference) come back to them); (2) I also remind the student of the objective of the assignment -- this reminder helps the student relate the point spread to their responses and hopefully see if or where they may have missed the point. (yes, timeliness, positive and constructive feedback should be a minimum expectation. (3) I will add something else, possibly needing a reminder for us educators. Be sure to read the feedback before hitting send. Use correct grammar and spelling; use professionalism and empathy. Remember what it was like to be a student.
Michael,
You have provided some very good points. Communication and meaningful feedback should enhance the learning process. Nice job.
Being respectful in tone and always looking to use feedback as a tool to promote learning is a key component. I remember taking on-line courses and being dismayed by the sometimes trite and curt responses. It left me with a sour taste and I felt disconnected both to my course and instructor. One needs to make a student feel special and that their thoughts and insights are important. Frequency is then also important. And it should not br generic but specific in nature.
David,
Yes sir. Meaningful feedback must be provided to students to help them improve. Keep up the good work.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
The three main things to remember when providing feedback are:
1) Feedback must come from the rubric. This helps keep the feedback consistent.
2) It must be timely – students want feedback in time to improve their work
3) The feedback must offer students real, concrete, method to improve their work.
When providing student feedback, the three most important characteristics are:
1. Timeliness - the feedback has its most meaning when the student receives it soon after submission of their work.
2. Consistency - feedback utilizing rubrics helps an instructor to provide criteria based feedback based upon the objectives of a task.
3. Personalized - regardless of ability/level of each student, feedback needs to provide specific guidelines for improvement based upon each students work.
Kimberly,
Right on! You have reiterated what others have noted in this forum. Thanks for continuing the conversation.
Michele,
Correct. There is a difference between feedback and meaningful feedback. If we want our students to improve and learn at a higher rate, meaningful, timely feedback is essential. Thank you.
1.Meaningful feedback should bespecific and detailed.
2. Feedback should be given in a timely manner 3. Your feedback should give students information for improvements.
Instructors have to be timely in their feedback. Students are eager to see how well they did on an assignment. It is also important to acknowledge their work in a positive frame. Some students spend a lot of time on their assignments and like the recognition in the feedback that instructors noticed. Praise is important but students also need to know how and what to improve.
Dr. Vicki,
You have tied this back to other postings and continue to note the importance of each item. Thanks for connecting the dots!
Richard,
Timely, specific, meaningful, positive, constructive, helpful, on target, related to the learning outcomes, etc. They are all good things to think about when providing feedback. Thanks for your input.
Edward,
Feedback through various methods are important. You get differnt information from the various types. Thanks for your input.
