What is feedback?
Feedback is information and advice provided either to help inform current work or to help you reflect on work you have already done. Incorporating feedback for students during tutoring is an essential element of the learning process. It allows students to reflect on their learning, clarify areas where they can improve, and gain the opportunity to self-assess their skills and capabilities.
What are the types of feedback for students?
In education, two types of feedback are recognized: formative and summative. Formative feedback is to help you improve or develop your work while there is still time to make improvements or changes. Summative feedback is information that usually comes at the end of a module or assignment that tells you how you have performed. This could be a grade or could include written feedback, either personal or generic.
Read on for some more information about formative and summative feedback and why it is important for students of all ages!
What are the benefits of providing feedback to students in tutoring sessions?
Incorporating feedback in tutoring sessions is crucial in aiding students to improve the standard of their current school work, and can help inform their future work. Helpful student feedback can:
- Inform the development of current school work: highlight areas to develop or change, provide new ideas, introduce different perspectives
- Help students improve work for future assessments
- Provide new ideas, create inspiration, inspire a different approach
- Encourage students and help them see unrecognized merit or potential in their school work
- Stimulate student independence
- Develop versatility by informing students how they work
How does incorporating feedback in tutoring sessions work?
Feedback is part of a process, not an object or commodity. Engaging students with feedback is an integral part of learning, development, and understanding. Feedback comes from a variety of sources both formal and informal. Different sources might be more informed in aspects of technology, theory, and process, but all can expose students to different agendas.
How should students incorporate formative and summative feedback?
Most students need to actively reflect upon and interpret feedback for it to be effective. Students may get conflicting feedback or opinions that lead in different directions. It is their responsibility to decide what to do with the summative or formative feedback they have received. This process should deepen their understanding.
First and foremost, students need to listen and read through the feedback obtained. Reflect and decide what to do: what changes should be made, what has worked in the past? Then, follow up with a specific plan!
How can students make the most of feedback?
1. Prepare
2. Check for clarity: make sure work is clear and clearly presented
3. Ask yourself: what questions might you be asked? What would you like advice on?
4. Check past feedback: don’t repeat the same mistakes
5. Listen and apply what you have learned
How can students prepare for feedback?
1. Expectations: what type of feedback are you likely to receive? How much feedback can you expect?
2. Be open to feedback by listening: constructive criticism is helpful
3. Give and take feedback: share your ideas/skills with others
Our tutors excel at helping students develop study habits and test-taking confidence. In a 1-on-1 setting, students can ask questions and receive coaching and explanations in a way that makes sense to them.
Please reach out to us if you’d like to learn more about how we can help your student!
