Feedback and Evaluation in E-Learning

Ensuring Students Act on Feedback Feedback is only as valuable as the action students take in response to it. Too often, feedback becomes a passive exchange,teachers give comments, students glance at them, and then move on to the next task without making meaningful improvements. To truly accelerate progress, we need to create structures that ensure feedback leads to independent development. Here’s how: 1. Build Dedicated Feedback Lessons into Your Scheme of Work If feedback is to be effective, there must be time for students to engage with it properly. This means moving beyond a quick ‘read your comments’ approach and embedding dedicated feedback lessons into the scheme of work. By protecting this time within the curriculum, feedback becomes a continuous, structured process rather than an afterthought. 2. Use Targeted and Specific Feedback Vague comments like ‘be more analytical’ or ‘develop your explanation’ don’t give students a clear direction. Instead, feedback should be precise and actionable. For example: • Before: ‘Your analysis is weak.’ • After: ‘To strengthen your analysis, explain why this event was significant and link it to a wider consequence.’ Or Pose questions to help students develop their answer or guide them to the correct knowledge. Pairing feedback with examples or sentence starters can help students apply improvements more effectively. 3. Teach Students How to Use Feedback Students need to be explicitly taught how to engage with feedback. This includes: • Modelling the process – Show students how to act on feedback by walking them through a worked example. • Guiding self-reflection – Use prompts like, ‘How does my answer compare to the model? Where can I improve?’ • Encouraging peer support – Structured peer review can help students identify strengths and areas for development before teacher intervention. I often like to highlight a weak paragraph in a green box so students know what area to precisely improve/re-write, as you can see below. 4. Use Feedback Trackers to Monitor Progress Instead of feedback disappearing into exercise books, encourage students to keep a feedback tracker where they record teacher comments and their own reflections. They can then set targets for the next piece of work and review previous feedback to ensure they’re improving over time. Feedback is most powerful when it becomes part of the learning process, not just an add-on. By allocating time in the curriculum for feedback lessons, making guidance explicit, and encouraging students to take ownership, we can transform feedback from words on a page into meaningful improvement. The ultimate goal? Students who no longer just receive feedback, but actively use it to progress.

🧵 FEEDBACK! Feedback should guide students toward improvement, be clear and specific, and encourage action. Here's a breakdown of key strategies to make the feedback process more impactful and move students forward! 🎯 **Make Feedback Specific**: Avoid generic comments like "good work" or "needs improvement." Be precise and clear. For example, “Your analysis is strong because you used…” This approach helps students understand exactly what they did well or need to improve. 🔍 **Make Feedback Understandable, Helpful, and Actionable**: Kate Jones explains that teacher must ensure students grasp the feedback and know how to improve. 1. Understandable: Do pupils understand the feedback? Do they understand what they need to do to improve? 2. Helpful: If the feedback isn't helping the learner move forwards and progress with their learning, then the feedback is not effective. 3. Actionable: Can pupils act on the feedback? Teachers should provide a task and time to respond and act on all feedback provided. ✍️ **Give Formative Feedback**: Focus on providing feedback that guides learning rather than just grading. Use Michael Chiles FCCT Goldilocks method—provide just enough feedback to be helpful without overwhelming students. Encourage them to think about how they can apply the feedback. 👥 **Provide Whole Class Feedback**: Analyse common patterns in student work and address them with the entire class. This helps tackle widespread issues and provides all students with actionable steps for improvement. 🕵️ **Turn Feedback into a Detective Work**: Challenge students to engage with their feedback by turning it into a puzzle or what Dylan Wiliam calls ‘detective work’. This approach challenges students to fix errors in their work and helps them internalise the feedback more effectively. 🙇 **Ensure Feedback is Actionable**: Feedback should encourage students to “think hard” (Robert Coe) Use Tom Sherrington’s 5 R's approach. These steps help students take concrete actions to improve their learning. 1. Redraft or Redo: Go back and edit specific areas. 2. Rehearse or Repeat: Go back and practise to master specific skills. 3. Revisit or Respond: Go back and answer similar practice questions. 4. Relearn or Retest: Go back to consolidate understanding of previous content. 5. Research or Record: Go back to develop work further with extensive research. ⚖️ **Reduce Workload with Dylan Wiliam’s 4 Quarters Marking Method**: Split your feedback time into four equal parts: 25% Mark in Detail: Provide specific, actionable feedback. 25% Peer Assess: Students assess each other’s work under supervision. 25% Skim Mark: Look for common errors and patterns (WCF). 25% Self Assess: Students evaluate their own work, building independence. 🤝 **Peer Feedback**: Teach and scaffold how to ‘Kind’, ‘Specific’ and ‘Helpful’ language to support students with delivering formative feedback to their peers. Provide examples of effective feedback and model the process.

Understanding Formative Assessment: Empowering Learning Every Step of the Way In the ever-evolving classroom, formative assessment stands as one of the most powerful tools for both teachers and students. Unlike summative assessments that evaluate learning at the end, formative assessments are ongoing, flexible, and meant to support learning during instruction. Formative assessment isn't just a method—it's a mindset. It’s about identifying gaps, adapting instruction, and empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey. Key Categories & Types of Formative Assessment 1. Teacher-Led Checks: -Observation: Informal monitoring during activities or group work. -Questioning: Open-ended or probing questions to elicit deeper thinking. -Mini Quizzes: Low-stakes assessments to measure concept grasp quickly. -Exit Tickets: Short written responses before students leave the class. 2. Student Self-Assessment: -Traffic Lights: Students indicate understanding using red (confused), yellow (unsure), or green (confident). -Reflection Journals: Writing about what was learned and where help is needed. -Checklists & Rubrics: Students use criteria to evaluate their own performance. 3. Peer Assessment: -Think-Pair-Share: Students discuss and clarify understanding before sharing with the class. -Peer Reviews: Giving and receiving structured feedback based on learning goals. 4. Collaborative Learning Activities: -Group Projects & Discussions: Encourage dialogue, problem-solving, and real-time feedback. -Concept Mapping: Visually organizing thoughts helps assess comprehension and relationships between ideas. 5. Digital & Creative Tools: -Interactive Polls & Quizzes: Use of tools like Kahoot, Mentimeter, or Google Forms. -Padlet or Jamboard Responses: Students post responses in real-time to visualize understanding. -Whiteboard Sketches & Visual Explanations: Let students draw what they know. --- Why Formative Assessment Matters: -Promotes active learning -Supports differentiated instruction -Encourages student agency -Builds a growth mindset Whether it’s a thumbs-up, an exit ticket, or a quick group brainstorm—formative assessment allows teaching to breathe with the learners, adapting in real-time and making education truly learner-centered. --- #FormativeAssessment #AssessmentForLearning #ActiveLearning #SelfAssessment #PeerAssessment #TrafficLightStrategy #ExitTickets #DifferentiatedInstruction #StudentCenteredLearning #EdTechInEducation #TeacherTools #VisibleLearning #ReflectiveTeaching #InstructionalStrategies

Back in 2017, my team had a simple but powerful ritual. We held "I have a design challenge" meetings, where someone would bring a project they were working on, and we’d workshop it together. These sessions weren’t just about fixing problems. They helped us grow our skills as a team and learn from each other’s perspectives. In 2024, I wanted to bring that same energy to learning designers looking to level up their skills in a fun and engaging way. This time, I turned to Tim Slade’s eLearning Challenges but took a different approach. Instead of just participating, we started doing live reviews of the challenge winners. How It Works One person drives the meeting, screensharing the challenge winner’s eLearning project while recording the session. We pause at each screen and ask two simple but high-impact questions: ✅ What worked well and why? ✅ What would you do differently and why? This sparks rich discussions on everything from instructional design and accessibility to visual design and interactivity. Everyone brings their unique expertise, turning the meeting into a collaborative learning experience. Want to Try It? Here’s What You Need ✔️ A web conferencing tool with recording capabilities ✔️ Adobe Premiere Pro or a transcript tool (optional, but helpful) ✔️ A generative AI tool like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude (optional for extracting themes from discussions) After the session, we take the recording and import it into Adobe Premiere, which generates a transcript in seconds. Then, using GenAI, we pull key themes, quotes, and takeaways, turning raw discussions into actionable insights. Why This Works This approach takes learning from passive to interactive. You’re not just seeing best practices. You’re critically analyzing them with peers, learning through feedback, and refining your own instructional design instincts. Would you try this with your team? Have you tried something similar? What worked well? #InstructionalDesign #GenAI #LearningDesign #eLearning #AIinLearning #CourseDevelopment #DigitalLearning #IDStrategy #EdTech #eLearningDesign #LearningTechnology #InnovationInLearning #CustomerEducation

Too often, offering students feedback is an exercise in compliance. The professor offers feedback, and expects the students to incorporate all of it. (It’s like the professor is giving items on a checklist. The subtext: “do these things and I’ll give you an A.”) But I want my students to think about feedback differently. I want them to be able to cut between different sets of feedback, connecting them to each other and linking them back to their own understanding. With that in mind… Here’s the feedback cycle I’ve designed for my Comp II students at Berkeley. 1️⃣ Self-Assessment Students use their own self-designed rubric to evaluate their own performance. 2️⃣ Peer Assessment Students get feedback and assessment from other students. 3️⃣ Instructor Assessment I’ll offer feedback on the assignment. 4️⃣ AI Assessment Students get feedback from a custom chatbot. I will be incorporating some of Anna Mills’s prompts for the PAIRR framework. 5️⃣ Assessment Assessment (or Reflection) Students apply the different assessments to their own self-assessment. They defend their ultimate edits within the context of their Self-Empowering Writing Process (SEWP).

Do your learners treat training as a “one and done” activity, only to forget what they’ve learned later? 🤔 Meaningful learning isn’t something that happens all at once. It’s a process that builds over time. Learners need repeated opportunities to engage with the material, apply what they’ve learned, and adjust based on feedback. Providing timely feedback throughout this process is essential for reinforcing learning and encouraging growth. Without it, learners are left guessing whether they’re on the right track. For example, consider a leadership training program that teaches conflict resolution skills. Instead of a single role-play exercise meant as an assessment, imagine a variety of activities sprinkled throughout the course. During one activity, learners might identify and label conflict styles. Later, they practice techniques for de-escalating tense conversations. After each activity, they receive targeted feedback like, “You showed empathy well, but next time, try rephrasing to clarify the other person’s point.” Over time, this iterative learning process helps learners refine their skills and gain confidence. Want to make learning iterative and impactful? Try this! ⬇️ 👉 Plan for multiple touchpoints. Create spaced activities that revisit key concepts, giving learners opportunities to deepen their understanding over time. 👉 Use actionable feedback. Go beyond “correct” or “incorrect.” Highlight what they did well and give specific advice on what to improve. 👉 Include self-reflection with feedback. Encourage learners to reflect on their progress after receiving feedback. Ask questions like, “What will you do differently next time?” 👉 Incorporate peer feedback. In group settings, allow learners to give constructive feedback to each other, which can deepen their own understanding. Learning is a journey, not a sprint. When we provide timely feedback and give learners the chance to revisit concepts, we set them up for long-term success. ---------------------- Hi! I'm Elizabeth! 👋 💻 I specialize in eLearning development, where I create engaging courses that are designed to change the behavior of the learner to meet the needs of the organization. Follow me for more, and reach out if you need a high-quality innovative learning solution. 🤝 #InstructionalDesign #IterativeLearning #FeedbackMatters #eLearning #LearnerEngagement #AdultLearning #LearningAndDevelopment

8 STEPS TO KNOW THAT MY STUDENTS ARE LEARING!! 1. Formative Assessments These are ongoing assessments that give you a sense of student understanding during the lesson: Exit Tickets: Ask students to answer a quick question at the end of class to check understanding. Quick Quizzes: Use short quizzes throughout the unit to monitor progress. Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: A quick visual check of whether students grasp a concept. Polls or Surveys: Ask students to rate their understanding of a topic on a scale (e.g., 1–5). 2. Observations Student Participation: Are students actively engaging in discussions and activities? This can be an indicator of their interest and understanding. Body Language: Pay attention to students' facial expressions and body language. Confused or disengaged students may need more support. Peer Interactions: If students are able to discuss and explain concepts to their peers, it shows a deeper level of understanding. 3. Student Work Assignments and Projects: Review the quality and depth of their work. Are they able to apply what you've taught in a meaningful way? Homework: Look for trends in students’ performance on homework to assess whether they’re grasping the material. Portfolios: Have students collect their work over time. This helps you see their progress and areas for improvement. 4. Summative Assessments Tests and Exams: While these occur less frequently, they provide a big-picture view of student comprehension. Standardized Tests: These can also provide data on student performance compared to broader benchmarks. 5. Student Self-Reflection Self-Assessment: Have students rate their own understanding, identify areas where they need help, and set goals for improvement. Learning Journals: Encourage students to reflect on what they’ve learned, which can reveal their level of understanding. 6. Student Feedback Surveys: Ask students for feedback on how they feel about their learning. Are they confident? Do they feel they’re making progress? One-on-One Conversations: Occasionally meeting with students individually gives you insight into their personal progress and challenges. 7. Check for Mastery Retrieval Practice: Ask students to recall information after some time has passed. Are they able to remember and apply it without help? Cumulative Review: Review concepts learned previously to see if students are retaining knowledge over time. 8. Peer Review Collaborative Activities: Have students work together on tasks and assess their collaborative skills and understanding. Peer feedback can also be valuable.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🗣️ Ever feel like your Learning and Development (L&D) programs are missing the mark? You're not alone. One of the biggest pitfalls in L&D is the lack of mechanisms for collecting and acting on employee feedback. Without this crucial component, your initiatives may fail to address the real needs and preferences of your team, leaving them disengaged and underprepared. 📌 And here's the kicker—if you ignore this, your L&D efforts risk becoming irrelevant, wasting valuable resources, and ultimately failing to develop the skills your workforce truly needs. But don't worry—there’s a straightforward fix: integrate feedback loops into your L&D programs. Here’s a clear plan to get started: 📝 Surveys and Questionnaires: Regularly distribute surveys and questionnaires to gather insights on what’s working and what isn’t. Keep them short and focused to maximize response rates and actionable feedback. 📝 Focus Groups: Organize small focus groups to dive deeper into specific issues. This setting allows for more detailed discussions and nuanced understanding of employee needs and preferences. 📝 Real-Time Polling: Use real-time polling tools during training sessions to gauge immediate reactions and make on-the-fly adjustments. This keeps the learning experience dynamic and responsive. 📝 One-on-One Interviews: Conduct one-on-one interviews with a diverse cross-section of employees to get a more personal and detailed perspective. This can uncover insights that broader surveys might miss. 📝 Anonymous Feedback Channels: Ensure there are anonymous ways for employees to provide feedback. This encourages honesty and helps identify issues that employees might be hesitant to discuss openly. 📝 Feedback Integration: Don’t just collect feedback—act on it. Regularly review the feedback and make necessary adjustments to your L&D programs. Communicate these changes to employees to show that their input is valued and acted upon. 📝 Continuous Monitoring: Use analytics tools to continuously monitor engagement and performance metrics. This provides ongoing data to help refine and improve your L&D initiatives. Integrating these feedback mechanisms will not only enhance the effectiveness of your L&D programs but also boost employee engagement and satisfaction. When employees see that their feedback leads to tangible changes, they are more likely to be invested in the learning process. Have any innovative ways to incorporate feedback into L&D? Drop your tips in the comments! ⬇️ #LearningAndDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #ContinuousImprovement #FeedbackLoop #ProfessionalDevelopment #TrainingInnovation

🎯 It's all about feedback: student evaluations We all need feedback to grow—at work, in science, and in teaching. In industry or national labs, our managers (who may not know every technical detail) still give us valuable input on teamwork and professional growth, and contribution to the team success. In academia, we get constant feedback via paper and grant reviews, and through student course evaluations. Many colleagues ask, “How can students evaluate professors?” Student comments can be blunt or even harsh, testing your moral fiber to read them. But feedback, however imperfect, is essential to improve. What matters isn’t just what I know, but how well I communicate and support learning. To make evaluations more useful, I explain why they matter and how I’ll act on them. Then, at semester’s end, I steel myself to review the results—and I can clearly see how things evolve! Spring 2024 vs. Spring 2025 (averages) Metric 2024 Avg → 2025 Avg Instructor contributed to understanding 4.40 → 4.60 Course challenged you 4.60 → 5.00 Atmosphere invited extra help 4.20 → 4.50 Responded to inquiries in 48–72 hrs 4.40 → 4.56 Respectful & positive environment 4.40 → 4.90 Useful feedback on assignments 4.20 → 4.11 Sessions well organized 4.60 → 4.70 Materials enhanced learning 4.40 → 4.70 Hours/week outside class ~6–7 hrs → ~8–9 hrs Key takeaways • Higher engagement: Response rate up, students feel more challenged • Stronger climate: Positive, supportive scores climbed across the board • Room to grow: “Useful feedback” dipped slightly—time to refine assignment comments Grateful for every piece of feedback. Here’s to iterating and communicating even more effectively next semester!