Making the most of feedback

ASK WEEK Pathways to Success

18-22 November 2013

Monica Fernandes, Academic Skills

Adviser

+ Objectives

How to get ready to receive feedback

What should be done with feedback?

How reflection contributes to feedback.

Mistakes to avoid

+ Quick Think...

This about your past assignments and essay writing…

What are your weaknesses?

What are your strengths?

+ Get ready for feedback...

Know when it will be received

How it will be delivered

Essay coversheet

Personal tutor

General discussions in class

One-to one discussions (office hours or consultation times)

+ Get ready for feedback...

(cont.) It could be as a

Constructive criticism

Question or

Idea for future consideration

+ Know what it is

Feedback

creates a dialogue with commentary

highlights strengths and weaknesses

helps to further develop your critical thinking skills

helps to improve your academic writing

+ Understand it...

What’s the assessment criteria?

If there’s something you don’t understand ASK

Some problems you might face

Being unsure of what the marker means with their comment

the comment is illegible.

+ Reflection is the word!

Feedback is a great way to understand where you can improve your work

This is done with the help of

Your personal tutors

Peers

Other lecturers

Family members!

+ Beyond improving your marks...

Improve your academic performance

Develop your transferable skills

Research

Analysis

Presentation

Communication

Using evidence with arguments

+ Other benefits of feedback...

Reviewing your work will help with eventual revision for exams

Your understanding of your subject/ topic will improve.

This will improve both knowledge and confidence

+ The best benefit...

It’s multifunctional

You can apply 1 piece of feedback from one assignment to all your other assignments

+ Task

On the post it write 2 comments of feedback you have previously had on your work

+ I have my feedback, now what?

1. Get your essay and have quick look at general comments and your marks

2. Put aside until you can see it more objectively

3. Look over the essay in more detail (between 20-30 minutes)

4. Re-read general comments and take note of the main points

5. Re-read the essay taking into account what your lecturer has said/ comments made. Is there anything you don’t understand?

+ Top tip...

Make this a habit….

After every essay, write down 1 or 2 points you want to improve and improve that aspect in your next assignment.

+ Your biggest mistake...

Is to glance at feedback and solely focusing on your mark.

If you don’t use your lecturer’s feedback, you’re losing 50% of the value of doing the essay.

+ General marking criteria

1. Information and knowledge

2. Understanding the topic

3. Reading the literature beyond the lecture

4. Independent thinking

5. Addressing the question

6. Presentation and style

+ Remember

Lecturers are willing to help you with their feedback

Feedback isn’t personal criticism

Feedback is the key to academic development and excellence

+ For more help...

ASK appointments (book online at http://libcalendar.brunel.ac.uk). Our appointment slots are:

Monday -Friday 12-2 pm

Tuesdays 5-7 pm

Or email us at: ask@brunel.ac.uk

Check out the ASK Blackboard Learn section for more resources

ASK WEEK Pathways to Success

Find these slides (and much more) on Blackboard

Organisations -> Academic Skills -> Workshop Presentations -> ASK Week Spring 2013