When Students Don't Respond to Feedback

When Students Don't Respond to Feedback

When Students Don't Respond to Feedback

Instructors often invest a significant amount of their facilitation time providing feedback for class assignments and addressing the students' developmental needs. What is your reaction to students who do not respond to your feedback, especially when they continue to make the same mistakes or their assignments do not demonstrate developmental progress? Do you believe that students are not paying attention to the feedback provided? This can be very frustrating for instructors, especially when they want students to perform better and they have offered suggestions and resources that would address the students' needs. This article will explore methods of engaging students in the process of feedback, in a way that encourages their participation, growth, and development.

A starting point when considering the effectiveness of feedback provided is to consider how it was presented to the students. Is the wording of the feedback engaging? Detailed statements are likely to be more effective with engaging students in the feedback than one word brief comments. The same is true for an approach that involves teaching the student how they can improve instead of telling them what is wrong. Often the approach and the attitude that the student perceives when reviewing the feedback can make a difference in their response to what has been written.

When students do not seem to be responding to the feedback provided there are several questions for an instructor to consider. First, is it possible that your students are not reading the feedback? In contrast, are students reading the feedback but intentionally ignoring it? Or is it possible that those students who are struggling do not fully comprehend what was written? If students are struggling from a developmental perspective they may be frustrated about the outcome, confused about expectations, unable to understand how to improve their performance, or they might be afraid to ask questions.

There are techniques that can be utilized to encourage student responsiveness. A very effective method of engaging students is to utilize questions that ask students to reflect upon their work and progress made to date. The use of thought-provoking questions may prompt critical reflection and it can also establish a basis for meaningful dialogue between the student and their instructor. For students that do not respond to the questions it may be helpful to post follow-up questions and ask them directly to respond. Another technique that can be implemented is the use of a self-check, which asks students to evaluate their own progress prior to completion of an assessment so that they can be provided with developmental guidance. While it may seem that these techniques require even more work on the part of an instructor the purpose is to take a proactive approach to non-responsive students so that they learn to be actively involved in the process of learning and responsive to feedback provided.

POST COMMENT

Why students have a preference for Custom Term Papers? VUDESK.A Platform for students What are Non-Traditional Students and How Do You Work with Them? DePaul's Version of 'Shark Tank' Gives Students Taste of Entrepreneurship Daily calendar For students The Cause Within You, Matthew Barnett Students' Share their Stories Dine on Demand: Helping Students since 2006! Holistic Practitioner Training Prepares Students for Opening Their Own Business Jetking helps students get a better job Barcelona Parties: European Students at Erasmus Barcelona Meeting Provided by Famous Event Organizer How Mathematics Term Paper Help to Students Overseas students are growing International Students and Resources