How can we both get and give feedback to ensure our students are getting smarter over time?
In the book How to Give Effective Feedback to Your Students, Susan Brookhart shares that you can evaluate your own feedback to students based on their responses. If students improve and motivation increases, then you can be sure you are on track to create a classroom where feedback, including constructive criticism, is productive.
This week we have the privilege of being a fly on the wall in Cris Tovani’s classroom, observing her methods of conversing with students to provide effective feedback. When you watch the video clip excerpted from her On-Demand Course, notice the way that Cris Tovani moves between the two students, asking probing questions, reviewing their work, and modeling the skill.
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As she walks away, Cris comments to the students, “That’s that high-level college reading.”
Students can be assured that while she knows that this is a difficult skill, she believes they can do it.
Reflect on the frequency, timeliness, and specificity of the feedback you provide for your students. What shifts can you make in your practice to make your feedback more constructive?
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