What is it?

Students are often given feedback in a number of different settings other than lectures, including laboratory sessions, skills sessions and action learning groups. In laboratory sessions, feedback can come from lecturers, postgraduate students and peers. This type of feedback can be helpful for students looking to improve and enhance their practical skills.

At the start of these sessions, the instructor will often give verbal feedback relating to previous work and provide students with advice and guidance on how best they can develop their practical skills. Once the session has started, the instructor may circulate the room and offer informal feedback on exercises carried out in groups.

Another example of this type of feedback is in SSPC (Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology) lectures where lecturers utilise tutorial sessions to develop and foster relationships with students in order to give and receive feedback in real time. This type of feedback is often in addition to office hours.

How can students make the most of it?

To make the most out of this type of feedback, students should be proactive when seeking further guidance and asking for clarification. This will thus allow them to gain a greater awareness of the areas in which they need to improve and make further progress. Students should also keep a record of any verbal feedback for future references, i.e. revision or assignments. It is important that students also make the most out of giving and receiving feedback from both their peers and tutors.