If your institution is looking to develop in the provision of high-quality feedback, we’ve got you covered. Here we guide you through the effective use of feedback.
Why feedback matters: Unlocking the power of learning
In the realm of education, feedback reigns supreme as the most vital technique for fostering effective learning. Yet, it is woefully underutilised, particularly in higher education. This begs the question: why is feedback so crucial, and how can we harness its potential to enhance our courses?
Discovering the key to learning success
According to renowned experts, feedback has an extraordinary impact on learning outcomes and motivation. It facilitates the development of accurate mental frameworks, known as schemas, that organize and connect information. John Hattie's research even reveals that feedback has a remarkable effect size of 0.79, double the average of other educational effects. When it comes to formative feedback, designed for learning purposes, its effect size soars to an impressive 0.90. Feedback holds immense power in shaping positive learning outcomes.
Unleashing the power of effective feedback
However, not all feedback is created equal. Ineffective feedback can hinder learning progress. Merely pointing out errors without providing guidance on how to improve proves unhelpful. General praise and rewards undermine intrinsic motivation and fail to offer valuable task-related information. Likewise, comparing learners or ranking them induces anxiety, undermining their self-esteem.
The different faces of feedback
Feedback is a multifaceted concept, intricately tied to the learning process. It adapts to the learner's progression stages. In the early phases, feedback serves a concept-improving function by offering corrective guidance. As learning advances, feedback transitions into a retrieval-strengthening tool.
Among the various types of feedback, three stand out:
Corrective feedback: This straightforward approach promptly corrects learners’ incorrect responses, providing them with the right answers.
Directive feedback: Going a step further, this feedback offers specific directions on how to improve performance, equipping learners with the necessary skills for future success.
Epistemic feedback: The pinnacle of feedback sophistication, this type stimulates learners to think critically and explore the “why” behind their actions. It nudges them towards alternative or better approaches, encouraging independent problem-solving.
Crafting effective feedback for diverse learning contexts
Common misconceptions paint feedback as a one-way street from educator to learner, stifling learner agency. It is time to reimagine feedback as a learner-centered process. Learners must actively engage with feedback, making sense of the information to enhance their work and learning strategies.
Creating effective feedback necessitates addressing critical conditions:
- Mutual understanding: Educators and learners must value feedback and comprehend its significance.
- Active learner involvement: Learners play an integral role in the feedback process.
- Evidence-based approach: Educators should seek and utilise evidence to plan and evaluate feedback effectiveness.
- Accessible space and technology: Learners and educators require suitable environments and tools for effective feedback exchange.
- Usability and guidance: Feedback information must be actionable and readily comprehensible, empowering learners to act upon it.
- Tailored support: Feedback should cater to individual learners’ diverse needs.
- Multiple sources and modes: Triangulating feedback from various sources enhances learners’ sense-making and evaluative judgement.
- Aligned learning outcomes: Feedback should align with desired learning objectives across tasks.
- Valued and visible enterprise: Feedback should be recognised and valued at all levels of the learning process.
- Consistency and quality assurance: Effective processes must be in place to ensure consistent and high-quality feedback.
- Continuity of vision: Leaders and educators must maintain a steadfast commitment to feedback practices.
- Resource flexibility: Educators should have the freedom to deploy resources for optimal feedback impact.
Factors to consider in the digital education landscape
As education embraces digital transformation, feedback enters a new frontier of possibilities. Multimodal feedback, encompassing diverse media forms such as audio, video, and interactive elements, empowers educators to convey information more effectively. Harnessing technology tools like video conferencing, audio recordings, and annotation software, educators can personalize feedback delivery and nurture stronger tutor-student relationships.
However, the implementation of multimodal feedback in digital education requires careful consideration of context, cultural nuances, and individual factors to ensure meaningful engagement and understanding.
Unlock the learning potential with feedback
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, feedback stands as a beacon of promise. Its potential to revolutionize learning outcomes, empower learners, and foster continuous improvement is unparalleled. By embracing effective feedback practices and leveraging the advantages of digital education, we can unleash the full learning potential of every student and pave the way for a brighter educational future. With insendi, effective feedback loops can be threaded throughout the learner journey and across multiple activities, allowing students to consistently progress towards reaching their full potential.