The three most important things to remember relative to providing meaningful feedback are:
1. Make sure the feedback is focused on the learning objectives. The student needs to know that you are commenting on her or his work as it relates to the objectives of the class.
2. Provide enough feedback to make sure the student clearly understands the areas that need improvement as well as the areas that were covered effectively. Also, make sure that the method of feedback is appropriate to the project, i.e. auditory, visual, or written.
3. Provide frequent and meaningful feedback. The information you provide needs to make a positive difference in the student's understanding of the material.
Linda,
Timely feedback that provides positive reinforcement, yet specific details is essential. Self- and peer-feedback also helps students become active in the assessment process. Nice job.
Jeanne,
Being positive and specific in your feedback is essential. Self- and peer-assessment are very helpful and I have found it to give students a new perspective on the assessment process. Thank you for your input.
Lindsey,
Feedback as you described it is essential. The connection to the learning outcomes is essential to move the students forward in the learning environment. Thanks for your input.
I think the three most important feedback from me is 1. Feedback from the instructor within an reasonable time in case they need help. 2. Giving them positive reinforment to encourage them to either write more and toexpress more. 3. Encourage them to post their comments with their peers and get involved in the discussion groups.
Tena,
Great touch. Thanks for the mnemonic to help us remember the approach!
Doug
I feel that the most important aspect to providing meaningful feedback is:
1. Take a positive approach. Emphasize what has been learned by the student, and then move into the areas that need improvement.
2. I like the idea of linking feedback to self-assessment. Asking questions to guide the student towards more advanced learning seems like such a worthwhile goal. They become empowered with their own ability to move to a higher level, and this type of learning always seems more permanent. This type of learning can then cross over to many other areas of education.
3. Be timely in your feedback. This is something that I struggle with as an instructor. Giving your best, always takes more time. And time in education, is often a precious commodity!
The three most important things to remember are
1) Providing timely feedback. It is of no use to the students if they can not use it to improve on subsequent work
2) positive and fair. Students should come away with an understanding of what to do, not discouragement
3) relate it to the learning objectives of the assignment. It is more important that the student understands the concepts than that they presented it exactly as you expected
ANN,
Excellent suggestion. I like the I was thinking...what do you think OR what were you thinking. Nice job.
Providing feedback is an important learning tool. The three important things to remeber when providing feedback are always start with a positive of what the student did right. Communicate with buffer phrases/open ended questions? Great answer. I was thinking ______, what do you think? to help the student self-critique. The most important is never stop feedback ...everyone needs a pat on the back.
Tammara,
It's important to have the students perspective as we learn what to do and what not to do as an online instructor. Thanks!
I remember taking an online class for my master's degree and the instructor would always do a weekly assessment of our progress in the course. If we were not on track or had difficulty, she would offer insight or extra help to ensure we could complete the objectives and course.
Frank and William,
When using rubrics designed by others, make sure they match the learning outcomes. It is a good idea to include the learning outcomes in the rubric so the students see the connection. Thanks for your input.
Frank,
Timely and meaningful feedback is essential. Using a well-designed rubric helps the students understand the expectations and instructors be more consistent in their feedback. Thanks for your input.
Hi William,
I like what you said about effectively using rubrics in the class. I always uses the rubrics provided by the course development group. In some cases I have had to develop m own reubrics when none were available from the university.
Frank Nolan
When developing meaningful feedback for assignments and projects integrated into an online course I believe that the three most important things to remember are to make sure that the feedback is done on a timely basis, make sure to make effective use of the grading rubric for each assignment and to make sure that the feedback to the students is positive in tone and helpful to encourage the students as we move forward in the course.
Frank Nolan
Garry,
Right on! There has to be enough information for students to understand how they are moving forward toward the learning outcomes and help them improve along the way. Thanks for your input.
Tammara,
I like the way you noted "assessment of their progress." Not just assessment, but how they are moving forward toward the learning outcomes. Thanks for bringing this to light.
Carol,
Feedback, feedbak, feedback. It seems as though it's a constant challenge for us all. But, you did hit on very important concepts. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
Feedback should be timely. Having said that... Culturally, we've gone off the charts with a completely skewed definition of what "timely" really means. Historically, it's ludicrous that we should get back to students within 24 hours regularly. Yet we do it. And we're building an unsustainable expectation of being overly available. So when I say timely, I mean reasonable. It's unreasonable for a student to wait a week for a response in a traditional classroom. In an accelerated environment like we often have online, it's unreasonable for a student to wait 3 or maybe 4 days for a response. Recent studies are demonstrating the negative impact on the culture as a whole of being so accessible. This is likely going to change in the next 5 years due to the alarming negative impact.
The second thing that I like to remember is to be helpful. That my comments should not harm my student. This requires wisdom and discernment. Some students need to hear positive feedback consistently. But all students need to know what is correct and what is incorrect and why. That is beneficial to the student. While I don't practice the "positive comment sandwich" that most of my peers advocate, I spend inordinate amounts of time explaining to students that criticism is given out of genuine care and concern for their education and well-being.
The third item that I find important, not to negate my first item, is to be accessible. I don't mean all of the time. I mean to have a demeanor and attitude of openness and warmth. And to be flexible enough to revise grades when warranted. I believe that a classroom with a sense of warmth, humor and compassion will necessarily result in the ability to be highly critical without being offensive or off-putting.
