THE ART OF GIVING FEEDBACKS
TO STUDENTS
Feedback is information provided by an agent (teachers, parents, employer, or anyone) regarding one’s performance or understanding.
Whenever we hear about word feedback, we believe that it may be negative. We think about our mistakes and prepare ourselves for negativity or disappointment. For many of us, it stems from feedback we received during our childhood, which tends to be more demotivating rather than constructive. Because of this conditioning during our formative years, there is a tendency among superiors/instructors to frame their feedback in a way which focuses only on the shortcomings of the student, which can be detrimental.
Feedback and critique are an important aspect of any educational experience and can play a pivotal role in the career choices and learning practices of students. The nature of feedback that a student receives can turn out to be a critical factor in determining how their life story pans out.
In academic settings, students who are not overachievers, or those who struggle with their grades are usually subjected to negative and harsh feedback, which not only leaves them with a feeling of inferiority and self-doubt, but also impacts their behavioral patterns and interest in their education. They have no idea whether they are sinking or swimming.
Feedbacks are a lifeline for students, since it is the only way they can assess their capabilities and improve accordingly. A good instructor is one who always provides their students with positive reinforcement and constructive feedback.
While honesty is important when you provide feedback, we need to motivate our youth, instead of bringing them down. A compliment can change and destroy one’s life. And the feedback which teachers provide has a huge influence on a student’s life, whether it is emotional or psychological.
Purpose
Feedback is not just a compliment but a key factor that motivates anyone to perform better. Feedbacks are not simple words but actions that show how teachers encourage and motivate their students so that they can improve in their efforts. While giving feedback, teachers need to show empathy because the words students hear from their teachers have a long-lasting impact. Therefore, there is a need for effective feedback provided by teachers to their students.
The purpose of giving constructive and effective feedback is to not only improve the performance of students within the classroom, but also to specify their goals and interests. Providing students with effective critique can also help them understand and formulate their own criteria for success and excellence, which can allow them to streamline their plan of action to accomplish said goals and adopt a set of values and belief system which best aligns with their life and career plan.
Frequency of the Feedback
How much feedback does the typical student receive in a typical classroom in one day? And how much of it is actually helpful?
In Pakistan, constructive feedback is very rarely heard of. As an underdeveloped country where poverty is one of the most crucial problems and an estimated 22.8 million children aged 5–16 are out-of-school. In such conditions, teacher-trainings are not necessarily considered a priority, even though teachers are the backbone of the education system. Due to a lack of training and in many cases, qualification, instructors are not well-equipped to deal with their students. Therefore, they have no idea how to motivate their students or provide constructive feedback to those who are struggling. Because of this, most students are not keen to go to schools, colleges, and universities just because of the constant demotivation and ignorance.
One of the key factors in this disinterest on the students’ part is the kind of language which is used by teachers while giving feedback. Negative phrases, unencouraging statements and derogatory words can hinder the growth of the student. Therefore, not only does the feedback need to be effective, but it also needs to be delivered in a more encouraging tone.
These words are not beneficial to the students. It not only affects their learning process and academics but also develops low self-esteem among them. Teachers must show some flexibility because not every student is alike. It is the job of the teacher to practice empathy and compassion while dealing with their students.
True-False Feedback
Think about it. The last time someone told you that you were wrong, how did it make you feel? While it is important to remain impartial and fair while giving feedback, it is also necessary to make sure that the student does not feel like their efforts are invalid. Immediately telling a student that their answer is incorrect, or they have not completed a task the way it was supposed to be can make the student feel hesitant to speak up or attempt to perform a task. It is not effective feedback unless the context of the situation is not taken into consideration If it must be improved, keep in mind these three questions before any feedback:
Why is it Right or Wrong
How can this message be conveyed in a more positive tone?
What can he/she do next?
4 Levels of Feedback: The Hattie and Timperley’s (2007) Model of Feedback
When we give feedback to others our attitude and style of delivery is of great significance. Teachers’ attitude towards students in giving feedback must be balanced, controlled, unbiased and empathetic. According to the Hattie and Timperley’s (2007) Model of Feedback, there are four stages of providing effective feedback:
Task: How many tasks have been performed well by a particular individual? Are they correct or incorrect?
Process: What kind of approaches are needed to perform tasks and there are alternatives? Connections between ideas, strategies for identifying errors, and how to fix-up strategies.
Self-Regulations: Self-confidence to understand the task problem and find out a solution to improve it. Feedback that encourages students to self-monitor, self-directed and self-regulate. Self-assessment is a commonly used tool.
Self-Personal: Evaluation of the student, as well as how they are being affected by what happens within the institution or classroom?
Effective Feedback
Effective feedback consists of the following key aspects:
Support Self-assessment skills through which students would be able to identify and work on areas where they need improvement and build their confidence.
Encourage Solution-Focused feedback that provides solutions and alternatives to problems students are facing in the classroom which will help them become more adaptable.
Incorporate Question based Feedback, to help students identify specific issues. Start with questions like “What are you adding next?” or “Is your work finished?” or “what are you able to do differently to urge a far better outcome” or “where are you stuck?”. One method could even be to spotlight positive qualities within the student’s work. For example: “The section of your painting has interesting bright & unique colors and textures, but I notice the playground area doesn’t look as finished. What are you planning to do there? Teachers need to ask clear, open-ended questions which help the student think about their problems and develop strategies to improve accordingly.
Recognize Effort: Identifying when a student has tried and commenting on it can help the student feel seen and appreciated. This can be phrased as: “I’m really amazed and appreciate your efforts to be the first one in the class to answer my question which I ask to the class. Thank you for participating so often.”
Implementation and Execution
Feedback is helpful for students to make improvements over time. Without it, students will continue to repeat the same mistakes and get discouraged. Students also begin to feel unmotivated during and after the class and become uninterested in their studies, and as a result, quit, or fail the class.
Before providing feedback, observe and actively listen to the students. Build a relationship with your students which is based on trust and mutual respect and allow your students the space to freely express themselves and practice self-analysis and assessment. Creating a comfortable environment within the classroom based on positive reinforcement and effective communication can allow students to fully grow and flourish.
It is also essential to give students a chance to make improvement by giving them timely feedback. Teachers can use different strategies. They may try to pick a day of the week to grade assignments and discussions. It will not only build a strong relationship but also develop confidence among students that teachers are ready to listen and provide a response that will help them in future.
