The Student Experience of Feedback: Longitudinal perspectives
1. The student experience of
feedback: longitudinal
perspectives
@CarlessDavid
EARLI Assessment SIG
Helsinki, August 29-31 2018
The University of Hong Kong
2. Overview
1. Longer term perspectives
2. Student change & development
3. Implications: feedback spirals
The University of Hong Kong
3. Student feedback challenges
Too much feedback as telling
Lack of engagement with feedback
Lack of strategies for using feedback
The way assessment & feedback are
organized
The University of Hong Kong
6. Data collection
• 8 interviews per student, including
member checking interview
• Documentary analysis of feedback
samples
The University of Hong Kong
8. Loop learning
Single-loop learning:
Tackling a problem
Double-loop learning:
Tackling a problem &
Reappraising approach
(Argyris, 1990; Argyris & Schön, 1978)
The University of Hong Kong
10. Single-loop feedback processes
Draft teacher feedback student action
submission
She gave constructive suggestions. She
pointed out what we can do and we revised
it. (Eva, year 2)
The University of Hong Kong
11. Closed loop but …
• Short-term
• Limited student agency
• Risk of teacher dependency
The University of Hong Kong
12. Less is more
“Try not to cover too many points, discuss a
small number in detail” (Candice, year 2)
“Teachers mentioned going in-depth rather
than too many points”
(Eva, year 2)
The University of Hong Kong
16. Disengagement over time
“From year 3 onwards I realized that I am
doing ok, so I’ve lost the motivation to
improve. I still care about the grades but not
that much about the feedback” (Candice,
year 5).
The University of Hong Kong
17. Role of degree classification
Final year scramble for
Upper Second
Guidance & feedback more
important (Alicia, Eva)
The University of Hong Kong
18. Long-term change in approach
“I used to procrastinate
a lot but now I leave
myself more time to
revise my assignments
and do proofreading”.
(Alicia)
The University of Hong Kong
20. Philippa’s ongoing puzzle
“I want to be synchronized with the markers”
(Year 1)
“I still don’t really know what each teacher is
looking for” (Year 5)
The University of Hong Kong
21. Candice’s feedback file
Assignment file + notes of feedback for
improvement
Used to inform current assignments
… but eventually abandoned
The University of Hong Kong
23. The University of Hong Kong
Single loop
feedback
processes Double loop
feedback
processes
O
Unresolved
learning
puzzles
Feedbackspirals
Long-term uptake of feedback
24. Feedback designs
Iterative designs which position students as
active feedback seekers & users
(Boud & Molloy, 2013)
The University of Hong Kong
25. Student feedback literacy
The University of Hong Kong
Making
Judgments
Appreciating
Feedback
Managing
Affect
Taking Action
(Carless & Boud, 2018)
26. References
Argyris, C. 1990. Overcoming Organizational Defenses. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Argyris, C., and D. Schön. 1978. Organizational Learning: A Theory of Action Perspective. Reading,
MA: Addison Wesley.
Boud, D. & Molloy, E. (2013). Rethinking models of feedback for learning: The challenge of design.
Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 38(6), 698-712.
Carless, D. (2018). Feedback loops and the longer term: Towards feedback spirals. Under review in
Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
Carless, D. and Boud, D. (2018). The development of student feedback literacy: Enabling uptake of
feedback. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education,
https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2018.1463354.
Sadler, D. R. (2010). Beyond feedback: Developing student capability in complex appraisal.
Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 35 (5): 535-550.
Winstone, N., R. Nash, J. Rowntree, and M. Parker. 2017. “‘It’d be Useful, but I Wouldn’t Use It’:
Barriers to University Students’ Feedback Seeking and Recipience.” Studies in Higher Education
42 (11): 2026-2041.
The University of Hong Kong
30. Timing of comments
“I welcome critical feedback when I can use
it to improve my grade but critical feedback
at the end is no use” (Candice, year 5)
The University of Hong Kong