Feedback: How to do it effectively and why you should

As educators we all understand the importance of giving feedback, however, how often do we stop to consider its impact and effectiveness? Our verbal and non-verbal cues continually influence student behaviour, and yet, can we be sure they're receiving the right messages?  

First thing's first, do you know the difference between 'ego involved' and 'task involved' feedback?

If you're anything like me, you're a creature of habit and offer phrases given to you in your childhood and schooling years. I often find myself saying things like 'good boy/girl', 'well done' and 'great job', for no reason other than habit. While these remarks might make a child feel good in the short term, we need to be aware that these comments have no impact, and sometimes even a negative impact, on learning. 

Formative assessment expert and researcher Dylan Wiliams refers to these comments as 'ego involving feedback,' being that they focus on the child's ego. As Wiliams explains in the video below, studies show that students who receive ego involved feedback would have been better off receiving no comment, rather than the praise they were given. 

(Definitely worth a watch!)

So, if 'good boy' and 'good girl' are off the table, what should be said?

Wiliams suggests that rather than focusing on a child's ego, focus should instead be placed on the task. This means understanding what the child has achieved, and understanding where to next. In summary, feedback should cause thinking and become a stepping stone in one's learning rather than an end point or the final say. As you might have guessed, task-involved feedback has a HUGE impact on student learning and also has the desired effect we all think praise is providing, increased confidence and self-esteem! 

So, given everything we know, what might feedback look like in your classroom?

Effective (task involved) feedback

In my classroom, I use a few different feedback models, depending on the task and my mood! To streamline the process I've designed a template which you can print on to post its and stick straight into student books, check them out!

2 stars and a wish

Glowing and growing comments

Writing checklist

Turning feedback into ACTION!

Now that you've mastered task involved feedback, what next? Well, feedback is only effective if students remember it and act on it. 

I ensure this by conferencing with students and helping them create personalised learning targets to display on these gorgeous mats. Having them on displayed on student desks helps them remember their target and strive to achieve them much faster! Each time they are able to demonstrate their target skill, they can hole punch their post it and track their progress. 

Felix could not have been prouder to make his first hole punch! What's even better is he self-assessed to identify his target in his writing, making my marking process SO much faster!

Want to grab your own copy of my Feedback and Learning Post it Pack?

Check it out!

You might also find it helpful to have a visual reminder for providing effective feedback! These posters are really helpful when my students are peer assessing each other. The quality of their feedback has improved so much since I introduced them!

These are a part of a larger visible learning poster pack, check it out by clicking on the picture below!

 

I hope this blog post has been informative and successful in sharing ideas about effective feedback. If you have any questions, post below or check out some more of Dylan Wiliams' videos!

All the best,
Jess