What is it? Some tools such e-Assignments allow feedback to be kept alongside marks in students’ records. Unfortunately other tools do not offer this function. Instead, some lecturers keep track of feedback given to students using a spreadsheet. Like in e-Assignments, marks and individual comments are recording for each student, which can prove to be particularly useful […]
Annotated Exam Transcripts
Posted on March 10, 2015 by Laurence Georgin in Written feedback
What is it? Following examinations, many departments give students the opportunity to collect or view their exam script. However, many students are unaware of this opportunity and consequently do not take advantage of it. Therefore, it is important that lecturers and tutors actively encourage their students to spend the time going through their exam scripts, […]
Written feedback on draft assignments
Posted on February 16, 2015 by Laurence Georgin in Written feedback
What is it? When students receive written feedback on draft assignments, this is considered to be formative feedback; this contrasts with summative feedback which students will be given on final assignments. Using formative feedback, students are able to identify their strengths and weaknesses in order to make the necessary improvements before submitting the final version. […]
Feedback after failed exams
Posted on by Laurence Georgin in Informal feedback, Verbal feedback, Written feedback
What is it? When students fail an exam or do not do as well as expected, they often feel ashamed and are reluctant to speak to their lecturer or tutor about it. Therefore, it is important that academic staff foster an environment in which students have the confidence to seek feedback regardless of their performance, […]
The Sandwich Method
Posted on by Laurence Georgin in Verbal feedback, Written feedback
What is it? A popular method to give feedback to students across disciplines is the Sandwich Method. This means that the lecturer starts off by offering positive feedback on what the student did well; then provides constructive criticism on what the student didn’t do so well; and ends on a positive note by giving the […]
Regular informal and peer feedback in seminars
Posted on by Laurence Georgin in Informal feedback, Peer feedback
What is it? Students regularly receive informal peer feedback during their weekly seminars. For example, if students are asked to do a presentation in front of the class, there will usually be a question and answer session whether both the tutor and other students will have the opportunity to offer feedback they may have regarding […]
Feedback in laboratory sessions, skills sessions and action learning groups
Posted on by Laurence Georgin in Class/ general feedback, Informal feedback, Verbal feedback
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. […]
Emails
Posted on by Laurence Georgin in 1-to-1/ detailed feedback
What is it? The vast majority of academic staff at the University of Southampton regularly encourage their students to contact them via email if they are experiencing any problems regarding their studies. This is an excellent opportunity for students to receive individual feedback on a one-to-one basis without having to visit their tutor or lecturer […]
Computer-mediated annotations (e.g. E-Assignments, Turnitin)
Posted on by Laurence Georgin in 1-to-1/ detailed feedback, Class/ general feedback, Feedback technologies
What is it? Following a number of low scores on the National Student Survey, several departments across the University of Southampton started to use online platforms such as E-Assignments or Turnitin to mark assignments and deliver feedback. This has proved to be particularly successful with students who maintain that annotated scripts are very helpful and […]
Additional Workshops
Posted on by Laurence Georgin in Class/ general feedback
What is it? Many lecturers find that making themselves available in online forums, such as Blackboard, Twitter and Facebook, allows them to effectively identify any problems their students may be experiencing and thus put in place additional workshops to ensure that students have understood everything that has been covered as part of the course. Moreover, […]