Module 13: Giving Feedback

Feedback is a form of communication that may be used as an educational intervention. Used appropriately, feedback is a means of letting the learner know how effective he/she are in what they are trying to accomplish.

Some learners perceive feedback as criticism and do not want to hear it. Others only want to hear praise and nothing that might suggest imperfection. When feedback is perceived as criticism it may seriously limit its effectiveness. That is why as educators, we must learn the skill of delivering feedback in its most effective form to be received by learners.

Some individuals are willing to accept feedback and may even seek it out, knowing that they can experience growth from it. From a learner's perspective it boils down to whether you believe feedback will benefit you or harm you. All learners should be able to expect feedback to be given in a respectful and supportive manner.

Most educators agree the purpose of giving feedback is to improve performance in the future. Feedback is an important tool because past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. Unless something intervenes to alter the learner's perspective, he/she will not change.