Constructive feedback promotes growth-mindset in students.
Feedback ≠ Rubric
"Feedback" does not equal “Rubric.”
A rubric explains the numeric score a student earns, but is not feedback. Feedback encourages growth and is specific to the student. A rubric is specific to the grade, not the student. Feedback means taking the time to provide your students with information on what exactly they did well and what needs improvement. It is also helpful to tell the student what s/he is doing differently than before.
For assignments which ask students to explain a general concept, then give examples of the concept, feedback should occur in four stages:
STAGE 1
Compliment the student on what s/he did well. This is not saying “Great job on your explanation” as this does not tell the student specifically what s/he did correctly.
An EXAMPLE of a specific student compliment might be:
• “Your solution used all the facts and you came up with a clever new idea.”
STAGE 2
Honestly and kindly tell the student what s/he did incorrectly. This is not saying “Your explanation needs further work” as this does not give the student any insight into what s/he did incorrectly or how s/he could do better in the next assignment.
An EXAMPLE of a specific student critique might be:
• “It looks like you did the steps out of order. Please review the assignment directions and the steps. I will help you if you have questions after your review. Please let me know if I can be of any help.”
Stage 3
Explain the general concept first. Whether students answered this correctly or not, tell them how to explain the general concept.
For an assignment regarding the use of comparative reasoning when critically thinking, an explanation of comparative reasoning (the general concept) might be:
• “Comparative reasoning ("this-is-like-that" thinking) is inductive and probabilistic in that it relies on what is familiar to understand the unfamiliar. For example, if you are discussing a problem with a friend, you may tell stories about similar problems and use the historic situation to shape or guide how you think about the new situation.”
Stage 4
If students are to give examples of the general concept, model a correct answer.
To continue with the above example, if students were asked to give an example of the simplicity component of comparative reasoning, an model of a correct answer might be:
• “Father Cavanaugh’s comparison was familiar and simple, but meaningful. It painted a vivid image of a man given multiple opportunities to be rescued from a flood: first, he was warned on the radio, then another man came to rescue him in a boat, and, finally, a helicopter attempted saving him from the impending waters. This comparison could easily be understood by the President.”
Instructor-initiated interaction is a high-impact practice and can be used to recognize the assets of first-generation students. First-gen students as a group are notably resilient, a strength that can be encouraged by instructors. It is important for instructors to focus on the assets students bring to their classes rather than on perceived deficits.
For example, an instructor might comment on an assignment,
“This is a challenging task and I am proud of you for sticking with it to completion” or send a similar message via email.