Providing a summary of the main elements of effective feedback to support pupil learning, this research piece will be especially helpful to teachers marking pupil projects.
The secret of effective feedback
Synopsis
In this research piece Wiliam offers general pointers for giving pupils effective feedback to aid their learning. He suggests that the main purpose of feedback is to improve a pupil’s ability to perform tasks they have not yet attempted, and that feedback can only be successful if pupils use it to improve their performance.
In order to give effective feedback teachers must be able to use the information they obtain from looking a pupil’s work – even when that information is less than perfect – and give feedback that will help the pupil to improve.
Wiliam states that in order to give effective feedback, the teacher needs to know their pupils and understand what feedback they need. To receive that feedback in a meaningful way, pupils must trust the teacher and believe that the teacher has the requisite knowledge to help them improve.