Characteristics of Characteristics of Good FeedbackGood Feedback

Peter FenrichPeter FenrichInstructional Development ConsultantInstructional Development Consultant

Learning and Teaching Centre (bcit.ca/ltc)Learning and Teaching Centre (bcit.ca/ltc)British Columbia Institute of TechnologyBritish Columbia Institute of Technology

Tel: 604-432-8817Tel: 604-432-8817Peter_Fenrich@bcit.caPeter_Fenrich@bcit.ca

Bridge-inBridge-in

Have you ever been Have you ever been upset after receiving upset after receiving feedback?feedback?

Have you ever Have you ever received useless received useless feedback?feedback?

Video

OutcomeOutcome

You should be able to give You should be able to give caring,caring,

growth-producing feedback.growth-producing feedback.

Good Feedback (1)Good Feedback (1)

The purpose is to help the person.The purpose is to help the person. Be aware of what the person needs Be aware of what the person needs

and is ready to receive. and is ready to receive. Think about what you say from the Think about what you say from the

receiver’s perspective.receiver’s perspective. Positive things and areas needing Positive things and areas needing

improvement are important.improvement are important. Focus on the present not the past.Focus on the present not the past.

Good Feedback (2)Good Feedback (2)

Be descriptive not evaluative.Be descriptive not evaluative. An observation such as “An observation such as “II noticed that noticed that

…” is better than setting someone up to …” is better than setting someone up to defend themselves.defend themselves.

What might make someone defend What might make someone defend themselves?themselves?

Good Feedback (3)Good Feedback (3)

Generally, provide suggestions rather Generally, provide suggestions rather than stating what to do. than stating what to do.

Suggestions let a person decide what Suggestions let a person decide what to do.to do.

What would you react better to?What would you react better to?

- “You should have …”- “You should have …”

- “Think about whether … would be - “Think about whether … would be

helpful next time.”helpful next time.”

Good Feedback (4)Good Feedback (4)

Be specific not general.Be specific not general. Compare the following:Compare the following:

“ “I didn’t get it.” I didn’t get it.”

versus versus

“ “I needed to practice more.” I needed to practice more.”

Good Feedback (5)Good Feedback (5)

Focus on behaviours not the person.Focus on behaviours not the person. Compare the following:Compare the following:

“ “You were rude to me.” You were rude to me.”

versusversus

“ “I wasn’t able to finish my point.” I wasn’t able to finish my point.”

Good Feedback (6)Good Feedback (6)

Focus on what can be changed.Focus on what can be changed. Compare:Compare:

- “You blocked my view of the screen.”- “You blocked my view of the screen.”

versusversus

- “You’re too big.”- “You’re too big.” A person’s physical attributes cannot be A person’s physical attributes cannot be

changed.changed.

Good Feedback in the ClassroomGood Feedback in the Classroom

Will the preceding feedback tips be Will the preceding feedback tips be effective for your students?effective for your students?

Working TogetherWorking Together

Since ISWs require peer feedback, we Since ISWs require peer feedback, we need to feel safe and trust each other.need to feel safe and trust each other.

What do we need to agree upon for What do we need to agree upon for comfortably working together?comfortably working together?

Typical AgreementsTypical Agreements

Confidentiality: “What happens in an ISW, Confidentiality: “What happens in an ISW, stays in an ISW.”stays in an ISW.”

Sharing a story outside the ISW is okay Sharing a story outside the ISW is okay ifif the the person cannot be identified.person cannot be identified.

Respect each other.Respect each other. Provide the needed feedback in a helpful and Provide the needed feedback in a helpful and

caring way.caring way. Share the air time.Share the air time. Participate with full attention.Participate with full attention.

What questionsWhat questions

about feedbackabout feedback

do you still have?do you still have?