It is widely acknowledged that feedback is a very valuable resource for students which they can use to increase their understanding of and improve their academic performance (Hattie and Timperley, 2007). Engaging positively with feedback is also vital in the workplace.

However, students’ engagement with tutor feedback can be limited and there is a need to support them to be ‘proactive receivers of feedback’ (Winstone et al, 2017).

The Skills Centre has developed an interactive, self-access online resource to help students develop their skills in this important area.

Part of the Centre’s ‘learn a concept in 30 minutes’ series, the short resource aims to:

  • build a clear understanding of the topic
  • explore the barriers that might prevent students from using feedback and how to overcome these
  • encourage them to set some goals through a personal learning plan (PLP).

The resource, which students can access on MySkills, signposts further useful information, including a glossary of common feedback terms and how to address each one.

The Skills Centre also offers a 90-minute workshop for students on engaging with feedback and is happy to run this for any department on request. The Centre can also provide the slides for this session for academic teams to embed in seminars and group tutorials. This workshop will also be available through our ‘skills enrichment’ provision in Semester two which students can book through MySkills.

Director of Education & Student Services, Ian Blenkharn, said:

“Engaging with feedback is crucial for success at university and in the world of work. This useful new resource helps students take ownership of their development and encourages agency, planning, creativity, resilience and independence – all of which are key employability skills.”

The Centre for Learning & Teaching has guidance and resources to support the design and development of assessment and feedback activity.

References

  • Hattie, J, and Timperley, H., (2007).The Power of Feedback. Review of Educational Research 77.1 81-112
  • Winstone, N., Nash, R., Rowntree, J. & Parker, M., (2017). ‘It'd be useful, but I wouldn't use it’: barriers to university students’ feedback seeking and recipience. Studies in Higher Education. 42. 2026-2041.