Be specific
Once I started providing more detailed feedback, which takes more time, I noticed students started to improve more rapidly. I did not take as long for them to understanding key concepts of the course.
Maureen,
Specific feedback does help the students improve. They have to understand not only what is wrong, but why it is wrong. Good job.
I say more than "check for grammatical errors". I explain specifically how to make sure their paper should be checked after each writing.
And throughout the course I work at being specific in helping them understand the content. It's easy and helps them learn.
Will read more on this subject. Interesting.
Keith,
Specific feedback also helps students understand how to improve. Without that. . .what are they working toward? Good point.
Students will also appreciate specific feedback. it shows them that you care and are not merely just doing the "task of grading". I always give specific feedback!
James,
Ah - good idea. Thanks for your tip. We continue to learn from each others. Appreciate it!
I have started breaking down the multi part questions and assigning points to each section to provide better feedback to students, they seem to really like that a lot more than just comments in the grade book.
Kristen,
Reiteration of the course objectives is the key. Thanks for bringing that up in this forum. When you do that on a regular basis, the students benefit and realize how to better reach the learning objectives.
I often find that I give feedback regularly. This course has given me the opportunity to actually asses my feedback more appropriately. Although it might take a longer amount of time, I see the value in reiteration of the course objectives tied into more detailed feedback. As well as the use of visual and recorded feedback when necessary.
kelia,
Our goal is the help students improve and understand the content. However, the more you work at it, sometimes, you'll find it's not as time consuming as before. Thanks!
