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Using Feedback as a Teaching Tool in the Online Classroom

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Role of Online Faculty

• Changes from that of authoritarian expert to coach or facilitator

• Shift from content driven presentations to shared investigation

• Facilitate active and collaborative learning

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The Importance of Effective Feedback

• Learner isolation intrinsic in the online classroom

• Provides positive reinforcement, redirects when needed and lays the groundwork for future attempts

• Immediate, corrective, and supportive feedback is central to learning

Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate

Education• Developed by Chickering, and

Gamson in 1978• Provides a framework for developing

feedback which fosters learning

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Principal 1Good Practice Encourages

Contacts Between Students and Faculty • Frequent learner-faculty contact both in

and out of class• Feedback is an excellent way to maintain

frequent contact with the learner• Two-way contact is an important factor • Convey instructor confidence in learner’s

ability

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Principal 2 Good Practice Develops

Reciprocity and Cooperation Among Students

• Collaborative and social not competitive and isolated

• Content feedback supports this principal• Feedback is an opportunity to

encourage learners to derive learning through interaction with their peers

• Encourage shy learners to participate

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Principle 3Good Practice Uses Active

Learning Techniques • Learning is a participant sport not a

spectator sport• In online active learning the learner self-

directed • Feedback provokes thought, does not

spoon feed answers and ideas • Feedback should reflect expectation of

higher level thinking

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Principle 4Good Practice Gives Prompt

Feedback • Feedback helps learners assess their

competencies and deficiencies• Prompt feedback which instructs and

encourages• Need grading feedback which is

quantifiable • Need content feedback which is

instructional

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Principle 5Good Practice Emphasizes

Time on Task • Learning requires both energy and time• Feedback should tell learner if they are

spending adequate time engaged in class• Feedback is time consuming when done

correctly• Faculty must set aside adequate time for

feedback• Time is often most difficult roadblock to

overcome

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Principle 6Good Practice Communicates

High Expectations• Expect more and you will get it• High expectations important for all

learners• Learners respond to instructor’s

expectations• Feedback should communicate high

expectations

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Principle 7Good Practice Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning

• Learners bring different experience, talents, and style

• Feedback in this area must be approached with a certain amount of caution

• Encourage learners to discuss their diverse points of view but keep discussion on track to support course objectives

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Using Rubrics to Enhance Feedback

• Rubrics help provide substantive and instructive feedback

• Analytical and holistic rubrics can be used to enhance feedback

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Feedback Template

• Feedback templates should include– Statement of expectations of

assignment– Statement of what learner did well– Define areas that need improvement– Encourage learner to contact instructor

with questions– Provide a grade for the assignment

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Feedback Template

• Assignment Expectations: 

• Areas that are done well:

• Areas that need improvement:

• Do you have any questions:

• Your grade is:

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Contact Information

• Dr. Larry Flegle– lflegle@kaplan.edu

• Janice Flegle– JaniceFlegle@student.kaplan.edu

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