Action-Oriented Feedback
WHAT: Action-oriented feedback consists of comments given to students about specific actions they can take in order to improve in a meaningful way. It is specific to individual students and can be referenced to assessment criteria as well.
WHY: General feedback such as "good job" or "excellent" does not really move the learner forward. Action-oriented feedback puts a focus on steps that can be taken or goals that can be set for the future to help improve. It can also help teachers come up with ideas of things that can be worked on more in future modules and planning.
HOW: There are many ways that action-oriented feedback can be provided to students. Providing ongoing feedback throughout practice activities and before the assessment is just as important as providing feedback after the assessment is completed.
Action-Oriented Feedback Strategies:
WHY: General feedback such as "good job" or "excellent" does not really move the learner forward. Action-oriented feedback puts a focus on steps that can be taken or goals that can be set for the future to help improve. It can also help teachers come up with ideas of things that can be worked on more in future modules and planning.
HOW: There are many ways that action-oriented feedback can be provided to students. Providing ongoing feedback throughout practice activities and before the assessment is just as important as providing feedback after the assessment is completed.
Action-Oriented Feedback Strategies:
- Use verbs or action statements instead of general comments.
- Start feedback with context, such as "continue doing..." or "next time remember to..."
- Provide feedback orally to the class as a whole
- Choose a few action-oriented feedback comments that were common among students in the class and ask students to choose one they would like to focus on
- Keep comments short and to the point, in learner-friendly language
- Focus on most important elements of overall success and communicative competence rather than specific details
- Target feedback toward the criteria that were missed or not done clearly/well
Samples
Samples are provided in Word format as they should be adapted and modified for your own students and level.
To download the documents below, please click on the button under each image. The document will download directly to your computer. Clicking and downloading from Scribd (like previously) will not work.
To download the documents below, please click on the button under each image. The document will download directly to your computer. Clicking and downloading from Scribd (like previously) will not work.
Another great resource for Action-Oriented Feedback is here:
listn.tutela.ca/wp-content/uploads/LISTN_Bulletin_Fall_December_2014.pdf
listn.tutela.ca/wp-content/uploads/LISTN_Bulletin_Fall_December_2014.pdf