How feedback to and for students plays a crucial role in their learning

Feedback is an essential component of the learning process, providing students with valuable insights into their progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Prof Sanjay Ahirwal, Dean at School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Apeejay Stya University, Gurugram mentions, “Feedback in teaching-learning supports pupil progress, address misunderstandings, and thereby closing the gap between where a pupil is and where the teacher wants them to be.”

The Prof further adds that there are multiple stakeholders involved in a child’s progress. The student, the parents, the teachers. “Feedback from all stakeholders help shape a student’s progress in the right direction. Student feedback helps teachers improve, which in turn allows students to learn better. Improving teacher performance through feedback is important because teachers have the most influence on student outcomes.”

Moreover, Dr Ishita Adhikari from Apeejay School of Management says, “Effective feedback is an essential and integral part of the teaching-learning process. Constructive feedback benefits the student not only in the learning process, but also in identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses.   Feedback shared with the student is the most powerful influence on their achievement. It helps students improve confidence, create self-awareness and enthusiasm. At ASM, we have a very systematic method of sharing feedback with students regarding their performance on a continuous basis. This enables them to upskill, acquire competencies to get corporate-ready.”

While feedback can be delivered in various forms, written feedback holds a special place in student learning. It offers numerous benefits that contribute to students’ growth, motivation, and overall learning experience. Thus, let’s look at a few key reasons why written feedback to and for students plays a crucial role in their learning.

First, written feedback provides a tangible and lasting record of the assessment. Unlike verbal feedback, which may fade from memory over time, written feedback allows students to revisit and reflect on the specific comments and suggestions provided by their instructors or peers. This written record serves as a valuable reference point for students to track their progress, identify recurring patterns, and set goals for improvement.

Second, written feedback promotes self-reflection and metacognitive skills. When students receive written feedback, they are encouraged to analyse their work, consider the feedback provided, and evaluate their own performance critically. This process of self-reflection enhances students’ metacognitive skills, enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Through written feedback, students learn to take ownership of their learning and become active participants in the feedback loop.

Third, written feedback allows for more thoughtful and comprehensive responses. Instructors and peers have the opportunity to provide detailed explanations, examples, and suggestions in a written format. This enables them to provide nuanced feedback that addresses specific aspects of the student’s work. Students benefit from this comprehensive feedback as it offers specific guidance and strategies for improvement, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Fourth, written feedback encourages students to engage in a dialogue about their learning. Students can respond to written feedback by asking clarifying questions, seeking additional guidance, or explaining their thought processes. This back-and-forth exchange of ideas and feedback helps to create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable seeking further assistance and discussing their challenges. By actively engaging with written feedback, students become active participants in their own learning journey. Prof Anand Khatri from Apeejay Institute of Technology – School of Architecture and Planning further says, “Student feedback is also extremely important. In our institute, we get students from a wide catchment. Their backgrounds vary. Some originate from villages and some from small towns and cities. There are cultural differences, but this mass of students are constantly interacting and coalescing. Architecture is a practical-based course, with site visits, training, dissertations, seminars, and so on, the awareness changes and they react well and knowledge intake changes almost every semester.”

All in all, written feedback also plays a crucial role in motivating and inspiring students.
Well-crafted written feedback acknowledges students’ efforts, highlights their achievements, and encourages them to persevere. It instills a sense of confidence and accomplishment, motivating students to continue their efforts and strive for excellence. Certainly, written feedback provides a platform for constructive praise, recognising areas where students excel, and offering specific praise that reinforces their strengths.