Feedback is a crucial element of the educational process. Performance-based feedback reinforce good behaviours and correct faulty ones. Feedbacks should be always constructive for them to be effective. Therefore, giving effective feedback is an essential skill for teachers. Some tips that can help teachers give effective feedback are:
1. Feedback should be continuous and ongoing: Give students feedback at the point of time they make mistakes. Be observant of student behaviour and progress and ensure that feedback is delivered at the time when the behaviour is present.
2. Give examples: When giving feedback at the end of the term. Make sure to highlight the behaviour and instance you are talking about. Don’t give vague and general feedback and be specific and recount the anecdote.
3. Don’t correct individual errors while a group activity is going on as this might help students’ self-esteem. You can talk to the student individually after the group activity ends. Give only group feedback during a group activity.
4. Ask student’s opinions on the feedback after giving feedback. This will help you understand student’s perspectives and provide more effective corrective measures.
5. Use constructive and productive feedback. Always speak from point of exploring improvement.
6. Ensure that students have understood the feedback and have not misinterpreted it. For it, ask follow-up questions to students about their behaviour and improvement plan they have for it.
7. Do not forget to address leaner’s advance towards the goal before pointing out mistakes. This will keep students encouraged.
8. Invite students on giving you the feedback as they don’t see it as scrutinizing but a way of improving.
9. Encourage students to give each other constructive feedback. Feedback from peers is less threatening and thus students are more open to feedback from peers. Thus, encourage students to give each other feedback.
