Making Feedback Work for Students: A Guide for Teachers

Using good feedback strategies is really important for teachers who want to help students learn better. It also creates a nice and supportive classroom atmosphere. It’s essential to mix both praise and helpful suggestions in feedback because this balance can greatly affect how motivated and successful students are.

Why Balanced Feedback Matters

1. Helps Learning: Studies show that feedback is more useful when it includes both positive comments and helpful suggestions. Research by Hattie and Timperley (2007) found that feedback can boost a student's achievement significantly.

2. What Students Feel: A survey from the National Education Association (NEA) found that 85% of students feel motivated to improve when they get specific feedback. However, feedback should not only highlight what’s wrong.

Tips for Balancing Praise and Suggestions

1. Try the "Sandwich" Method

• Start with Positives: Begin by talking about what the student did well to build their confidence.
• Then, Offer Suggestions: Give them specific areas to work on for improvement.
• End on a High Note: Finish with a positive remark to encourage them and show that you believe in their abilities.

2. Be Clear and Useful

• Research from the Education Endowment Foundation shows that feedback is best when it is clear and tied to specific goals. Instead of just saying "Good job," a teacher might say, "You did a great job analyzing the character's feelings. Next time, try to link it to the bigger themes we discussed."

3. Encourage a Growth Mindset

• Carol Dweck’s research tells us that students who believe they can improve with effort usually respond well to feedback. Teachers should frame suggestions as chances to grow, stressing effort instead of just natural talent.

4. Let Students Assess Themselves

• Allowing students to look at their own work encourages them to think critically and become more independent. A study by Andrade and Valtcheva (2009) found that self-assessment can help students remember what they learned better.

Key Facts

• Power of Feedback: Research shows that feedback with a lot of encouragement can increase student engagement by 40% compared to mostly critical feedback.
• Boosting Performance: According to Black and Wiliam (1998), good feedback and assessments can help students understand their work at a higher level, sometimes even raising their grades by one full level.

Final Thoughts

Striking a balance between praise and constructive criticism in feedback is key for effective teaching. Using techniques like the sandwich method, promoting a growth mindset, and encouraging self-assessment can foster an environment that not only supports learning but also builds confidence. With evidence showing how important balanced feedback is for student success, teachers should focus on these effective feedback strategies in their classrooms.