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Feedback is a catalyst for learning and when we can give timely feedback it's even more effective. The challenge comes in finding quick, efficient ways to provide that meaningful feedback. When you have 30 students in your class and 40 minutes to teach them, it can seem near-impossible to accomplish. Here are three ways I provide feedback in my Algebra class.
Feedback Codes
Raise your hand if you've been here...You have five classes of exams to grade. You have your pretty pens, your coffee and your feet up on the ottoman. You get through your first class feeling accomplished, but by the last class you aren't giving the same depth of feedback because you coffee ran out, the time is past midnight, and the comfy ottoman is not so comfy anymore. That was me.
It's normal to run out of steam and to have to fight for motivation to keep giving that feedback, especially when you've written something the likes of "Please remember to show your work" on a third of the papers already.
Here's a solution.
When I go to grade a test I start a new Google Doc and make a copy of this template and I change the title to match the test, then I get started with grading.
When I come across the first moment for feedback I type the comment in the space for code 1, then on the students paper I write a "1" and circle it. Now, if I have to put the same comment on a future paper I can just do the same thing. When I see my next opportunity for a comment, that goes in the space for code 2 -- rinse and repeat for however many comments you end up having.
Some of my comments are used for several papers, some are only used for one or two. But what I have found is that I tend to write much more when I type the feedback in the comment box than I do when I hand write them. You can also get fancy and add pictures, GIFs, or even hyperlink video as comments!
Here's an example to the left (one of my favorites) of what a students' paper will look like with a feedback code on it. The 33 led to a comment detailing how to complete the problem. The -2 represents the points lost for the error.
Peer Partnerships and VNPS
Peer feedback can be incredibly helpful when it comes to getting timely feedback and getting feedback to all students in a short amount of time. My favorite way to do this is to have students work in partnerships on Vertical Non-Permanent Spaces (VNPS). If you haven't heard of VNPS before, it's just a space where students can stand and their work is displayed vertically (rather than horizontally on their desk) so that it is visible to the teacher as they are walking around the room. The space where they are doing their work is also "non-permanent" in that it can be erased and reused. The VNPS in my classroom are wall-mounted whiteboards and windows. My students can stand at them and work together on their assignments, able to erase and reuse the space infinitely many times, and I can see everyone's work simultaneously as I am walking around.
This protocol has two benefits for feedback. First, the peer partnerships provide peer feedback which is often timely and effective. Next, the VNPS allows me to see students work more easily and I can interject in a more timely fashion to provide feedback while they are working. I find this is much more effective than when I circulate the room to look at student work when they are seated. I can see everyone's progress from across the room, I can make visual assessments from anywhere, and I love to make teachable moments from this as well. If I see multiple groups are making the same error I can ask the class to pause their work and I can use anyone's work as an example to talk about, since it's easily visible to the rest of the room.
Self-Checking Activities
Self-checking activities are another way that I provide timely feedback. Currently I am enjoying using Google Sheets to make conditionally-formatted activities that provide instant results for my students.
I've always enjoyed using task cards as well, where the answer is provided on the back of the task card. These pair really nicely with the use of VNPS! To the right you can see how I made my task cards digital, which has been really helpful during this time of covid restrictions.
For more ideas you can find all of my self-checking activities in my TPT store using this link.
I have a future post planned to dive more into these great types of activities, so stay tuned!
Share your questions, comments and experiences in the comments below!
Share your favorite feedback strategies!
What is your favorite strategy and why?
How would you make these strategies even better?
What questions do you have about these strategies?
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