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Using Assignment Feedback Effectively - Teaching Principles

Know the Tool

Online teachers need to have a basic understanding of how to use the SpeedGrader tool. The Canvas SpeedGrader allows teachers to leave comments on a learner’s submission. This Canvas Help Guide will show you the different ways to leave assignment feedback using the SpeedGrader.

With a basic understanding of how to give feedback using Canvas, consider the following principles as you give assignment feedback to your learners.

Use a Christlike Tone

• At times, digital communication can be misunderstood. What you say when giving feedback should be clear and positive and reflect your real message.

• For more ideas on how to use a Christlike tone in online learning, see “Communicating Appropriately with Online Learners.”

Be Specific and Personal

• When giving feedback to learners, look for ways to be specific. Use the learner’s preferred name every time. Reference their ideas shared in the assignment. Validate their thoughts and feelings. Correct misconceptions when guided by the Holy Ghost.

• Generic feedback does not resonate with learners very well. Avoid the copy-and-paste “Great work!” feedback. It can come across as insincere.

Consider the following examples. A learner named Scott submitted an assignment where he shared some sincere thoughts, feelings, and impressions he received while completing the reading assignment. Later, when he checked his grade looking for feedback, he discovered that the teacher simply replied with “Good job.”

Contrast that with the feedback that a learner named Holly received from her teacher after similarly being touched by the reading material for the week. “Holly, thank you for sharing some of your sincere thoughts and impressions you received as you were reading the assignment this week. I was deeply touched by the connections you made from the reading material to Jesus Christ. I really appreciate your efforts in class.”

If you were the learner, what kind of feedback would you prefer to receive? How might mentioning their name and something specific about their assignment change how they feel?

There may be times when you give your learners the same feedback on an assignment. Even so, always look for ways to make your feedback specific and personal.

Timely Grading and Feedback

• Learners appreciate feedback more when you grade their assignments quickly. This also helps keep them on track and gives information that can help with future assignments.

• The Guidelines for Successful Online Teaching suggest grading assignments within two days of the due date. This should be done as local circumstances allow.

• Assignments that go ungraded or that do not contain feedback might frustrate learners. Timely feedback on assignments communicates to learners that you care about them.

Icon: Report

Discuss with Your Supervisor

Take some time to go through the questions listed below. Prepare to discuss them with your local S&I supervisor.

• What counsel do you have to make sure that my communication to learners is not misunderstood?

• How soon should I be giving feedback after a learner submits an assignment?