Module 05: Learner Feedback

Summary

This module discusses the importance of formative versus summative evaluations in providing learner feedback. Formative evaluation helps students improve along the way, while summative evaluation summarizes overall performance. It covers general do's and don'ts for feedback, emphasizing the need to understand errors, choose appropriate techniques, and encourage self-correction. The module also highlights feedback on oral and written production, offering strategies for on-the-spot and delayed corrections. Creating a positive classroom atmosphere where making mistakes is part of learning is essential. Teachers can support students by using models, self-edit checklists, and peer feedback.

Takeaways

• 📚 The distinction between formative and summative evaluation is important for understanding when and how to give feedback to learners.
• 🔍 Formative evaluation provides ongoing feedback to help students understand their progress and areas for improvement, while summative evaluation assesses overall performance, like a final grade.
• 🤔 When giving feedback, it's crucial to understand the cause of an error, whether it's a guess, a careless mistake, or a misunderstanding of language rules.
• 🔑 Analyzing the type of error, such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, or pragmatic, helps in choosing an appropriate feedback technique.
• 📉 Prioritize feedback on important errors that affect understanding, while overlooking minor ones to maintain fluency and communication.
• 🙏 Encouraging students by using positive feedback over negative is essential for motivation, confidence, and success in language learning.
• 🌟 Classroom atmosphere and tone significantly influence student performance, with a supportive environment fostering greater participation and learning.
• 👥 Group work and peer correction are effective techniques for providing feedback and promoting collaborative learning.
• 🗣️ Speaking tasks can range from simple to complex, and feedback should be tailored to the level and purpose of the task.
• 📝 On-the-spot correction techniques, such as gestures and reformulations, are useful for immediate feedback during speaking activities.
• ✍️ For written work, providing models, self-edit checklists, and allowing time for self-correction and peer feedback supports the writing process.
• 🔄 The module emphasizes the importance of appropriate feedback techniques that encourage learners to continue learning and improving.

Q & A

What is the key difference between formative and summative evaluation in the context of learner feedback?

Formative evaluation provides feedback to students along the way, answering the questions 'How am I doing so far?' and 'How can I improve?', while summative evaluation summarizes a student's overall performance, such as the final grade for a course.

Why is it important to understand the reason behind a student's error when giving feedback?

Understanding the reason behind an error helps determine whether it was a guess, a careless mistake, or an actual misunderstanding of the language rules, which in turn informs the choice of feedback technique.

What types of errors should a teacher analyze when giving feedback on language use?

Teachers should analyze vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, or pragmatic errors to determine the type of feedback needed.

How should a teacher decide which errors to focus on when giving feedback?

A teacher should consider the context and determine which errors are important enough to address, especially those that hinder understanding, and which can be overlooked to maintain fluency and continuity of communication.

What is the relationship between classroom atmosphere and student performance as described in the script?

A positive classroom atmosphere that encourages making mistakes and learning from them can significantly improve student participation and performance, as seen in the case where parental involvement led to a 75% increase in student participation.

How can students be encouraged to self-edit and self-correct their work?

Teachers can use feedback mechanisms such as self-edit checklists, peer editing, and group activities that allow students to review and correct each other's work.

What are some techniques teachers can use to provide on-the-spot feedback during oral production activities?

Techniques include using gestures or silent mouthing, offering quick corrections, reformulating sentences, and asking for clarification or repetition.

How can teachers support the writing process and provide effective feedback on written work?

Teachers can provide models, make self-edit checklists and resources available, focus on fluency and overall comprehension before mechanical mistakes, and allow time for self-correction and peer feedback.