| You may decide to have your students to play a
role in assessing and providing peers with feedback. Since this might be a new experience
for them, some of the guidelines below might help ensure the giving and receiving of
feedback is a constructive part of the learning process. Giving
Feedback
Feedback is likely to be most effective when:
- it encourages personal reflection.
Give the recipient a chance to talk first by asking how they felt things have been going.
This encourages that person to develop the skill of self evaluation.
you are sensitive to the goals of the recipient.
The person has produced the work for a specific purpose - you should be aware of that
purpose and give your feedback accordingly.
it refers to matters about which the person can actually do something.
In all cases direct the feedback towards behaviour that the recipient can control.
it is specific rather than general.
This applies to both positive and negative feedback. The recipient should be given
sufficient information to pinpoint the areas to which you are referring and have a clear
idea of what is being said about those specific areas.
it is descriptive rather than judgmental.
Don’t say what you think the other person should feel.
you can balance positive and negative elements.
The best technique is often to "sandwich" your constructive criticism between
positive feedback.
you include some alternative suggestions with your constructive criticism.
Instead of sticking only with what could be done better, suggest how this might be
achieved.
Receiving Feedback
You will get the most benefit from receiving feedback when you:
- give explicit direction beforehand to focus
feedback.
Make it clear what type of feedback you are seeking. If necessary, indicate what kinds of
feedback you do not want to receive.
- listen first without comment.
You will hear more if you concentrate on what is being said without trying to justify
yourself.
- ask for clarification at the end, if
necessary.
If you are unclear about what is being said, or what instances the comments are based on,
then ask for more explanation.
- are receptive to new ideas.
By being defensive you defeat the purpose of the exercise which is to reflect on what you
are doing and find means to improve.
- develop action plans.
Make some specific plans about how you are going to change things as a result of the
feedback and what new ideas you will try next time round.
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