Feedback Time: Ideas and Tools for Efficient Feedback
It’s the end of the school year which means feedback time! Some love it, some fear it, others try to avoid it. To be honest, I find it quite amusing that teachers are usually quite keen to share their feedback and surprisingly hesitant to receive one – I do have some theories, but they are somewhat mean, so I’ll keep them to myself.
However, I want to share the posts which will help you deal with this challenging period. Look at my notes, but don’t follow them blindly. Modify them to suit your students and their situation. I’m sure you know them well by now, so you’ll be able to use my posts in a most efficient way.
Let’s start from the very beginning. Do you remember your classroom contract?
Classroom Changes: How to Prepare for the New
Before you introduce a change in your classroom, make sure to put it into your classroom contract. This post shows how to do this, and how to revise the contract and monitor your students’ approach at the same time.
With the school year ending, it’s time to look at your contract critically. Once you discuss the contract, make it a starting point of your feedback session. Discuss the rules you’ve started with and then modified. Which rules were the most sensible? Which ones were the most difficult to stick to? Ask your students to brainstorm a bit – there are some rules they already want to put in the classroom contract for the next year?
Classroom Feedback in the Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix is one of my favourite Design Thinking tools. It’s a visual framework that helps organize feedback in a structured manner. It also encourages students to engage in constructive discussions while respecting diverse viewpoints. By using the Matrix, you can facilitate collaborative feedback sessions full of active participation, critical thinking, and self-reflection.
It’s a great tool to work with teenagers – it helps to get more targeted and effective feedback and at the same time it makes a really interesting groupwork.
5 Do’s and Don’ts of Giving Feedback
Being a teacher is like being a confused jellyfish swimming in the endless Feedback Ocean. We give feedback to our students, or receive feedback from our directors of studies, managers, parents, or even students themselves – it’s the never-ending circle of more or less meaningful processes. That’s why I made a list of essential dos and don’ts for providing constructive feedback in the classroom. They will help you promote a positive and supportive learning environment.
Four Riders of the Feedbacalypse
When you think about feedback it’s often about giving it. You will find a lot of tips on how to give feedback effectively… But what about receiving feedback? Although the way we react to feedback hugely depends on the way it’s given, there are some kinds of behaviour that will turn a feedback session into Feedbacalypse. Watch the short video to see my top Four Riders of the Feedbacalypse I’ve met during my teachers’ observations. By addressing these potential challenges, you can avoid the frustration and facilitate open communication and constructive dialogue.
Summer Break To-Do List
Feedback is a serious process, that’s why don’t forget to end your course on a lighter note – and here you will find something useful. You can surprise your students with a little wicked twist – and since I believe I’m the best person to deliver wicked twists, I’ve got something nice for you: a summer break to-do list for your students!
End of course lessons are great to promote feedback is a powerful tool for supporting student learning and growth. Let’s embrace the art of feedback and empower our students to reach their full potential. Enjoy!
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