Feedback is one of the most important components of effective teaching. As Hattie (2012) concluded in his extensive study, student feedback is shown to be one of the highest factors contributing to higher student performance. Students need timely, specific, and actionable feedback in order to achieve their learning goals. When appropriate feedback is absent, learning is drastically stunted.
According to Goodwin and Hubbell (2013), effective feedback:
When providing feedback, it is important to give growth-orientated feedback. This means that any feedback given to students should praise effort, not ability. By praising and encouraging effort, students will likely become more motivated to exert increased effort and recognize that effort is directly correlated with success.
According to Goodwin and Hubbell (2013), effective feedback:
- Shows what successful performance looks like
- Is specific enough to allow students to guide and self-correct their learning
- Considers student abilities
- Highlights what students do well and areas for improvement
- Is actionable
- Is relevant
- Is given to students in a timely manner
When providing feedback, it is important to give growth-orientated feedback. This means that any feedback given to students should praise effort, not ability. By praising and encouraging effort, students will likely become more motivated to exert increased effort and recognize that effort is directly correlated with success.