Chapter 1: The Essence of Effective Feedback
* Key Points:
* Feedback should be timely, specific, actionable, relevant, and encouraging.
* Effective feedback focuses on progress towards desired outcomes, not perfection.
* Real Example:
* Instead of simply writing "Great work," a teacher could write, "I appreciate how you used specific examples to support your thesis statement. To improve, consider exploring more perspectives on the topic."
Chapter 2: Harnessing the Power of Technology
* Key Points:
* Technology can streamline marking and provide instant feedback to students.
* Digital markbooks, annotation tools, and rubrics can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of feedback.
* Real Example:
* Using a digital markbook, teachers can quickly input grades and generate reports that show students' progress over time.
Chapter 3: Planning and Organization
* Key Points:
* Establish clear marking criteria before assessing student work.
* Break down large marking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.
* Use a triage system to identify and prioritize student work for immediate feedback.
* Real Example:
* A teacher might divide a class of 30 essays into three groups: strong, satisfactory, and needs improvement. They can then focus on providing comprehensive feedback to the students in the "needs improvement" group first.
Chapter 4: Time Management Tricks
* Key Points:
* Set aside dedicated time for marking.
* Use batch marking to group similar assignments together.
* Delegate marking to students or colleagues when possible.
* Real Example:
* A teacher might allocate 90 minutes each Tuesday afternoon for marking, focusing on one subject or assignment type at a time.
Chapter 5: The Art of Written Feedback
* Key Points:
* Use clear and concise language that students can understand.
* Avoid vague or subjective comments.
* Focus on identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
* Real Example:
* Instead of simply writing "Your essay needs more evidence," a teacher could write, "Your essay would be strengthened by incorporating specific examples to support your main argument."
Chapter 6: Verbal Feedback That Sticks
* Key Points:
* Provide verbal feedback in private and in a respectful manner.
* Use open-ended questions to encourage student self-reflection.
* Offer actionable steps for improvement.
* Real Example:
* After a presentation, a teacher might say to a student, "I was impressed by your research and the clarity of your ideas. To enhance your presentation, consider slowing down your pace and incorporating more visual aids."
Chapter 7: Feedback in Action
* Key Points:
* Provide regular feedback throughout the learning process.
* Encourage students to seek feedback from multiple sources.
* Use feedback to inform future teaching strategies.
* Real Example:
* A teacher might ask students to submit drafts of their assignments for feedback before the final deadline. This allows students to receive feedback early on and make necessary revisions before submitting their final work.
