Assignments are an integral part of the coursework material. It gives students a chance to prove they know the coursework material independent of assessment score. Some students are terrific, intelligent and knowledgeable but just don't perform well on exams--regardless of how much effort they put in to study.
1. Each student is an individual vastly different from the other--so individualized feedback is crucial.
2. Providing details and helpful hints to improve their work in a tactful and nonthreatening manner is key.
3. Emphasizing the things which are correct within the assignment should overshadow mistakes.
Dwayne,
The rubrics are key to the feedback process. It helps the students understand the expectations and helps the instructor be more consistent in their grading. Thanks!
You have to develop good rubrics that have a lot of specific feedback and contribute to the learning environment. You also have to develop self and peer assessments that drive further engagement and add to the learning experience. Also providing meaningful feedback is key so the student can take the next step in his/her academic career.
Thank you,
Dwayne Roark
Eryn,
Right on. Ensuring students understand the expectations is essential. Including the rubric and clear instructions is important as well. Thanks.
Eman,
Meaningful feedback is essential to the learning process. The words you used - positive, specific and detailed - are perfect. Thanks.
James,
Love the way you describe this. Tha is for your input. It gives us something to consider.
Thanks again.
Michael,
Definitely! The students are the center of the learning process. Thanks for your input.
Linda,
Staying positive and encouraging learning through motivation is essential. Helping them also learn to use professional language is important as well. Thanks for your Knut.
The three most important things to remember are:
1. The amount of time the assessment/assignment will take students
2. Is there a posted rubric
3. Are the instructions clear for students
Meaningful feedback should help students increase their knowledge and skills. Thus, it should be individualized, addressed in positive tone, specific and detailed. Furthermore, it should be connected the learning objectives.
Eman
Compliment sandwich!
Tell the students what they did well. Let them know what they could do to improve. Explain why, if these improvements were made, everyone would benefit.
All of the aspects outlined in the lesson are important. However, the student must be considered into the formula to determine method. Just to follow a process without any understanding of the students acceptance for a particular methods of feedback will result in a wasted effort as the student will only feel the emotion rather than gaining an understanding.
When working with my students I always am positive about their input and encourage them at all times. I try to be timely by evaluating their work within 72 hours of it being submitted. I do remind a student on an individual basis about the proper use of grammar, spelling ans sentence structure with their written assignments.
Kurt,
Sounds like you're the "go to guy" when it comes to rubrics. Keep up the good work.
Thanks!
I have spent a lot of time preparing rubrics as part of my course development duties and I have also written my own program to develop, store and use rubrics. My program provides feedback to which I add personal and constructive comments, and I believe the three most important parts of feedback are:
1. Tell the students what they did right.
2. Tell the students what they did not do right.
3. Tell the students how they can improve.
Kurt
Amie,
The meaningful feedback will help develop that relationship. When you provide individualized feedback to help students improve, they realize you are trying to help them improve. Thanks for your input.
In order to develop meaningful feedback, it is important to have a relationship with your students. If you are "human" to them and not just someone on the other end of the computer, then they will be more receptive to feedback. It is also important to communicate feedback clearly. Sometimes, it may come in the form of an e-mail or post but sometimes it may require a discussion through a phone call. Also, asking students questions, "Why did you do it this way?" or "Why do you say that?" allows the instructor to understand the students' thought processes and then respond accordingly.
Brian,
Your discussion on teaching math helps me emphasize that many times feedback, communication, etc. helps determine how feedback is provided and how we respond to students. With math, you have to remark on their incorrect answers, but I like taht you encourage the work in the students they did complete. Thanks for your input.
Hello,
(1) Always encourage the work in the student they did complete. If you're grading something, then they have done at least some work, and that work may have been very difficult to them. Encouraging them in the work they did complete can pay big dividends.
(2) Remark on their incorrect answers. I teach math, so I always mark the incorrect homework questions and give them the correct answer (although not necessarily the solution method). This way they know what they have done right and what they have done wrong. Some students think they understand a concept, but the only way they know they need to improve is because the homework reveals it.
(3) I point out the one or two important concepts that they need to master before moving on. Not every concept is equally important, but some are foundational for future material. This is something the instructor may understand, but the student unable to discern. Identifying and explaining a key concept that will recur through out the course can save the student time and make the difference between their success and their giving up.
Best,
Brain STout
Dawn,
You use key words to describe appropriate feedback: positive, constructive, informative, etc. This type of feedback will help students improve. Thanks for your input.
