Make feedback into detective work

Summary

This YouTube transcript discusses improving student feedback in education. The core argument is to shift from providing detailed written comments to framing feedback as a puzzle or challenge for students to solve. This approach, termed “feedback as detective work,” encourages active student engagement and reduces teacher workload. The presenter cites research highlighting the ineffectiveness of lengthy feedback and advocates for methods like four-quarters marking (combining detailed feedback, whole-class marking, peer assessment, and self-assessment). Examples from different subjects illustrate how this concept can be implemented practically, emphasizing student participation in the feedback process.

What are the key implications for teachers in the classroom?

  • Shift the focus from the type of feedback to how students use it. Teachers should prioritize creating feedback that encourages students to actively engage with it and make changes based on it. A feedback intervention that increases student dependency on feedback is not effective. Good feedback is feedback that students use.
  • Make feedback a collaborative process. Encourage students to respond to feedback, making it a dialogue rather than a one-way transmission of information. Teachers should dedicate class time for students to respond to feedback.
  • Frame feedback as detective work. Instead of directly pointing out errors or providing solutions, pose feedback as puzzles or challenges that students need to solve. For example, instead of saying “Remember to use the correct grammatical gender,” a teacher could say, “There are five places in this piece of writing where you use the incorrect grammatical gender. I’ve highlighted two of them. See if you can find the other three.” This approach encourages students to actively analyze their work and identify areas for improvement.
  • Recognize the value of concise feedback. Detailed comments may not be as effective as concise feedback that prompts students to think critically. In math, for example, simply indicating incorrect answers can be more effective than providing elaborate explanations. Students can then focus on identifying their mistakes and understanding the underlying concepts. This approach can be more efficient for teachers and more engaging for students.

By implementing these strategies, teachers can create a more effective feedback system that fosters student learning and engagement.

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