Feedback
“Feedback is not about praise or blame, approval or disapproval. That’s what evaluation is – placing value. Feedback is value-neutral. It describes what you did and did not do."
~ Grant Wiggins
It is an objective description of a student’s performance intended to guide future performance. Unlike evaluation, which judges performance, feedback is the process of helping our students assess their performance, identify areas where they are right on target and provide them with tips on what they can do in the future to improve in areas that need correcting (Miser). Good Feedback is...
Timely
“The more delay that occurs in giving feedback, the less improvement there is in achievement.” (Marzano)
Constructive/Corrective
What students are doing that is correct
What students are doing that is not correct
Choose areas of feedback based on those that relate to major learning goals and essential elements of the assignment
Should be encouraging and help students realize that effort on their part results in more learning (Marzano)
Specific to a Criterion
Precise language on what to do to improve
Reference where a student stands in relation to a specific learning target/goal
Also specific to the learning at hand
Based on personal observations
Focused on the product/behavior – not on the student
Verified
Did the student understand the feedback?
Opportunities are provided to modify assignments, products, etc based on the feedback
What is my follow up plan to monitor and assist the student in these areas?)
Resources to Learn More
Feedback for Learning - How Am I Doing (Chappuis, 2012)
