Feedback strategies
The Feedback Sandwich
Positive Comment: Start with what the student did well.
Constructive Criticism: Offer areas for improvement.
Encouragement: End with motivation or advice for future actions.
Encourage Peer Feedback
Teach students how to provide constructive criticism.
Encourage an atmosphere of respect and openness where students feel safe to share their thoughts without fear of judgment.
Discuss what constitutes respectful and constructive feedback. For example, focus on the work, not the person, and avoid vague comments.
Immediately After an Activity or Assessment.
Decreased Motivation
Without it, students may feel unappreciated or unsure about their efforts, leading to a loss of interest in the subject matter or overall disengagement from learning.
Focus on Learning Goals
Relate feedback to the specific learning objectives or criteria.
- Make feedback relevant to the student’s progress toward these goals
Continuous Feedback
Provide ongoing feedback instead of waiting until the end of an assessment
Create a feedback loop where students can revise and improve their work based on the feedback provided.
During the Learning Process (Formative Feedback).
Offer feedback while students are working on tasks or projects to guide their learning and ensure they're on the right track.
Lack of Awareness of Strengths and Weaknesses
Students won't know what they are doing well or where they need to improve. Without feedback, they remain unaware of their progress and may not realize the areas they need to focus on.
Use Open-Ended Questions
- Encourage self-reflection by asking questions like:
- “What do you think you did well in this task?”
- “What could you improve next time?”
- Promotes student critical thinking.
Promoting a Growth Mindset
Teach students that learning is a process and mistakes are part of growth
After Major Assessments or Exams
Lack of Clear Direction
Feedback provides guidance on what students should do next. Without it, learners may feel lost and uncertain about how to improve or meet expectations, which can lead to confusion or frustration.
Be Mindful of Tone
- Positive, supportive tone: Avoid sounding harsh or overly critical.
Avoid using judgmental language: “This is wrong” → “Here’s a way to improve.”
Practical Application
Use a student’s sample work to demonstrate how to apply these feedback strategies
When Learning Milestones Are Reached
Reduced Confidence
Constructive feedback boosts student confidence by affirming their strengths and giving them actionable steps to improve. Without it, students may doubt their abilities or feel that they aren’t progressing.
Create Actionable Next Steps
Offer actionable next steps (e.g., "Next time, try practicing without notes for key points to maintain eye contact with your audience"
Tailor Feedback to Individual Needs
- Recognize that each student has unique learning styles and emotional needs. Customize your feedback accordingly to make it more effective
After Observing Consistent Efforts
Lack of Improvement
The most critical outcome of not giving feedback is that students may not improve. Feedback is essential for growth, and without it, students cannot correct errors, refine their skills, or achieve higher levels of mastery.