To do or not to do with feedback. A study of undergraduate students’ engagement and use of feedback within a portfolio assessment design

Feedback is important for student learning; however, research shows that students can have a number of difficulties when attempting to learn from feedback. Based on an in-depth analysis of undergraduate students’ self-reported reflection logs, we present findings about students’ experiences with oral and written feedback and how they act upon this feedback when a portfolio is the main assessment and learning tool. Our findings indicate that, within our context, students’ overall experiences with receiving feedback are positive. Oral feedback was perceived as particularly valuable to the students while written feedback challenged their understanding. We identified four specific actions the students engaged in to create meaning from the feedback: internal feedback, using oral feedback, initiating dialogue and interacting with peers. The findings indicate that the students take responsibility in the feedback process. The findings are discussed in relation to current perspectives on feedback in higher education.     

中国语境下的教师反馈与英语学习者的写作

在外语教学和学习中,动机的研究一直是一个焦点,具体来讲学生对写作的态度是否会影响学生的写作水平也成为了研究者的另一个关注点。作为英语写作教学中的重要因素,教师反馈将会对学生的动机产生影响,但在之前的研究中多集中在两者其中之一对学生成就的影响。本文作者将对国内对教师反馈研究作一个简短的文献综述,并基于相关理论对如何给出有效的教师反馈提出建议。     

Using CBL to improve cognitive load and reduce feedback redundancy in Accounting distance learning

This study explored the value of providing Introductory Accounting distance education students with feedback via a computer‐based learning (CBL) package modelled on teacher dialogue. CBL provided tightly focussed feedback without increasing the materials’ complexity ('element interactivity'), and without redundant feedback, while ensuring the learners engaged with the materials at an optimal ('germane') mental processing level. The CBL feedback provided verification and elaboration at key points. The CBL was used to complement written learning materials. The students using CBL performed significantly better than the total group. The students found the CBL materials useful, but ranked the written materials higher than CBL. Both student preferences and learning results indicated the value of CBL feedback.     

远程英语写作书面反馈模式与生态链构建

写作反馈是读者向作者的输入,其目的是为作者修改文章提供信息,它具有评价、知识传递、促进学习的功能。写作反馈的理论基础主要包括语言输出假设、语言输入假设和二语习得整合理论。纵观国内近20年二语写作反馈研究成果,主要集中在书面反馈模式、反馈效果、影响反馈效果的因素三个方面。反馈模式主要有教师反馈、同伴反馈、教师与同伴反馈相结合模式、电子智能反馈模式四种。制约和影响反馈效果的因素主要有反馈接收者、反馈发出者和反馈方式三个方面。反馈效果是反馈研究最为关注的核心问题,反馈的最终目的在于使学生能够内化反馈的知识点。在远程教学中,由于教与学时空分离、学生基础薄弱、师生比例太大,这给远程写作教学带来新的挑战。构建一种"写作-反馈-内化"的写作反馈生态链是应对这一挑战的新思路。生态链中的"写作"不断输出学习者对语言知识的假设,"反馈"不断发现和修正学习者在语言学习过程中的错误假设,"内化"则不断地运用已有知识吸收语言知识的正确假设。通过不断循环,能够保证远程学习者语言学能和写作能力的不断提高。     

Sketches in Action Learning

Reginald W. Revans, who is widely known as the “father” of action learning, has written numerous books and articles over the years on action learning. They are filled with insights and serve to place the concept in historical perspective. These sketches represent an assembly of such insights excerpted from Revans' writings. The opening sketches were expressly developed by Revans for this issue of Performance Improvement Quarterly. What follows is an array of sketches selectively drawn from Revans' earlier work.     

多元反馈模式在英语写作教学中的实证研究

基于多元反馈模式的英语写作教学模式注重在写作过程中采用教师反馈与同伴反馈,口头反馈与书面反馈相结合的模式,培养学生的自主学习能力、自我评价能力和提高学生的英语写作水平。通过多元反馈模式的实证研究,采用定量和定性的方法,比较研究多元反馈模式与传统模式的效果,从而构建一套基于多元反馈模式的英语写作模式。     

远程英语写作教学中的书面反馈调查与研究

在远程语言教学中,由于交流机会有限,书面反馈就成为了开启和维持指导教师与学习者对话的重要手段。基于网络平台开放英语写作课程,以书面反馈为研究对象,采用问卷和访谈等方式,探索在远程语言教学环境下,指导教师和学习者对反馈的理念与实践。研究发现不同指导教师所提供的反馈类型和形式有明显差异,而不同学习者之间的期望和理解也差异较大。建议指导教师提供反馈前应了解学习者的学习需求与特点,同时,需要对指导教师和学习者进行有关有效利用书面反馈系统的培训,以提高书面反馈的对语言教学的促进效果。     

Providing Students with Written Feedback on Their Assessment: A Collaborative Self-Study Exploring the Nexus of Research and Practice

This article is an account of a collaborative self-study of the process of providing written feedback on assessment to our teacher education students. Our five-year study grew out of concerns that written feedback might not always meet the learning needs of our students. The study was informed by on-going analysis of our reading of the relevant literature, our experience conducting a qualitative research study of students' perceptions of written feedback on assessment, and our professional conversations along the way. We became increasingly aware that our personal beliefs about learning and teaching underpin our respective approaches to providing written feedback on assessment. The process of critical reflection enabled us to achieve a congruence of professional practice that resolved our concerns about the nature of written feedback and enhanced our respective pedagogical practices.     

Adaptive feedback from artificial neural networks facilitates pre-service teachers’ diagnostic reasoning in simulation-based learning

In simulations, pre-service teachers need sophisticated feedback to develop complex skills such as diagnostic reasoning. In an experimental study with N = 178 pre-service teachers about simulated pupils with learning difficulties, we investigated the effects of automatic adaptive feedback, which is based on artificial neural networks, on pre-service teachers' diagnostic reasoning. Diagnostic reasoning was operationalised as diagnostic accuracy and the quality of justifications. We compared automatic adaptive feedback with static feedback, which we provided in form of an expert solution. Further, we experimentally manipulated whether the learners worked individually or in dyads on the computer lab-based simulations. Results show that adaptive feedback facilitates pre-service teachers’ quality of justifications in written assignments, but not their diagnostic accuracy. Further, static feedback even had detrimental effects on the learning process in dyads. Automatic adaptive feedback in simulations offers scalable, elaborate, process-oriented feedback in real-time to high numbers of students in higher education.     

Formal,nonformal and informal modes of learning: A glimpse of the Tanzanian experience

Conclusion This short report has reflected upon and illustrated the different ways and means by which formal, nonformal and informal modes of learning have been made to interact with each other in Tanzania. Integration to such an extent has been made possible both through structural changes in the educational system as well as through the operation of some specific learning programmes. The rationale for using such an integrative approach has also been outlined.The interaction between formal, nonformal and informal structures and modes of learning is certainly not comprehensive nor completely integrated, as is evident from the report. Rather, a rational start has been made in that direction within the overall framework of Tanzania's development goals and aspirations.     

An online adaptive learning environment for critical‐thinking‐infused English literacy instruction

Critical thinking (CT) and English literacy are two essential 21st century competencies that are a priority for teaching and learning in an increasingly digital learning environment. Taking advantage of innovations in educational technology, this study empirically investigates the effectiveness of CT‐infused adaptive English literacy instruction using a Moodle system. A one‐group pretest–posttest design was employed to evaluate the effect of the treatment on students' acquisition of CT skills (CTS) and English literacy. A total of 83 students enrolled in two sections of a general studies course at a large university in Taiwan participated in the semester‐long experiment. Adaptive learning was achieved through the use of an online Moodle system for (1) online grouping (based on pretest English literacy scores), (2) delivery of specifically designed adaptive learning materials for each group and (3) provision of individualised feedback. CT‐infused language activities based on social constructivist principles were designed for each level of adaptive instruction, whereas direct instruction for fostering CTS was provided in class and practiced or reflected upon in groups. Empirical results demonstrate that CT‐enhanced adaptive English literacy instruction simultaneously improved students' CTS and English literacy and that students' online discussions developed towards higher levels of interaction. This paper illustrates an effective blended learning model for adaptive instruction and offers recommendations for designing CT‐infused language learning activities that can successfully foster both CT and English literacy outcomes.     

Peer feedback on academic writing: undergraduate students’ peer feedback role,peer feedback perceptions and essay performance

Within the higher education context, peer feedback is frequently applied as an instructional method. Research on the learning mechanisms involved in the peer feedback process has covered aspects of both providing and receiving feedback. However, a direct comparison of the impact that providing and receiving peer feedback has on students’ writing performance is still lacking. The current study compared the writing performance of undergraduate students (N = 83) who either provided or received anonymous written peer feedback in the context of an authentic academic writing task. In addition, we investigated whether students’ peer feedback perceptions were related to the nature of the peer feedback they received and to writing performance. Results showed that both providing and receiving feedback led to similar improvements of writing performance. The presence of explanatory comments positively related both to how adequate students perceived the peer feedback to be, as well as to students’ willingness to improve based upon it. However, no direct relation was found between these peer feedback perceptions and students’ writing performance increase.     

Peer assessment in university teaching: evaluating seven course designs

Peer assessment is understood to be an arrangement with students assessing the quality of their fellow students’ writings and giving feedback to each other. This multiple‐case study of seven designs of peer assessment focuses on the contribution of peer assessment to the acquisition of undergraduates’ writing skills. Its aim is to arrive at an optimal design of peer assessment. Factors included in this study are: the quality of peer assessment activities, the interaction between students in oral peer feedback, students’ learning outcomes, and their evaluation of peer assessment. Most students took assessing the work of their fellow students seriously, and included the peer feedback in the revision of their work. In most conversations, students provided feedback in an evaluative manner. In others, the interaction was more exploratory. For peer assessment, we recommend a combination of written and oral peer feedback.     

A case study on written comments as a form of feedback in teacher education: so much to gain

In Higher Education, much of a lecturer’s time is spent on supplying students with written comments as a form of feedback on assignments. Although it is clear that students use these comments to make adjustments to their assignments, it is doubtful that these comments create a learning effect. This may indicate that the way feedback is supplied and/or the quality of the feedback lacks information for improving future performance. In this case study, written feedback has been analysed and the perception of students on the quality of written feedback in relation to their learning behaviour has been taken into account.     

Pedagogical applications of Vlogs: An investigation into ESP learners' perceptions

This study set out to examine the implementation of a video blog (vlog) project in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course that aimed to increase students' opportunities to use the target language. Specifically, it explored students' perceptions towards vlogs and analysed the advantages and disadvantages of vlogs as identified by the students. Data sources included an attitude survey, an open‐ended questionnaire, student interviews, written peer feedback, video clips in vlogs and reflective journals. The results indicated that firstly, the students favourably perceived the vlog project because vlogs not only helped them organise and reflect on their learning products, but also allowed them to archive their learning processes. Second, they reported a number of advantages associated with vlogging, such as visual representation, relief from time constraints, self‐evaluation, professional development, wider audience, peer learning and technical capability. Third, in the opinion of the students, the challenges compromising the effectiveness of the vlog project involved technical difficulties, affective interferences, weak linkage to real‐time communication and time issues. In light of these findings, the researcher proposes two pedagogical implications for ESP instructional practices.     

The 'Mini-Viva' as a Tool to Enhance Assessment for Learning

This paper reports on an action research project which aimed to promote assessment for learning within a summative assignment. In an attempt to provide enhanced feedback to students, the process of their group assignment involved lecturer feedback at various stages. A particular focus was on a 'mini-viva', whereby students explained and justified to the lecturer selected aspects of their assignment after it was submitted but before a mark was awarded. Oral and written evaluation data were collected from students, two peer observers and from colleagues taking part in an action research team. Some implications for 'good assessment practices' are discussed.     

Book floods and comprehensible input floods: providing ideal conditions for second language acquisition

In the field of second language (SL) learning there is now little argument that one of the ideal conditions for learning is the provision of ample language input, whether it is oral or written. The Fiji “Book Flood” was one of the earliest studies of the effect of the provision of opportunities for regular reading in the classroom on growth in English, an SL, and it strongly supported the above observation. This chapter will examine the debate about the provision of only comprehensible input and the need for learners to focus on form also. It will argue that the Fiji Book Flood provided ideal conditions for both comprehensible input and for focus on form. The findings showed that an enriched diet of regular reading, by students of Grades 4 and 5 in eight schools, accelerated the development of their second language proficiency in reading and listening, relative to those of matched control groups. The experiment was carried on for another year and the gains were sustained; the impact of the experiment was extended to writing and English grammar as well. Interestingly, this enhancement in SL proficiency was found to have a positive effect upon children's proficiency in the first language also.     

‘Are you listening please?’ The advantages of electronic audio feedback compared to written feedback

Feedback on students' work is, probably, one of the most important aspects of learning, yet students' report, according to the National Union of Students (NUS) Survey of 2008, unhappiness with the feedback process. Students were unhappy with the quality, detail and timing of feedback. This paper examines the benefits of using audio, as opposed to written, feedback in an attempt to overcome student criticisms. Using the Audacity audio software MP3 feedback files were created and sent to 60 students either via a VLE or email. The students were asked to complete an online survey on audio feedback. Twenty‐six students responded. The results were, generally, very positive. The use of audio feedback seemed to have overcome the problems reported by the NUS survey. Students are at least 10 times more likely to open audio files compared to collecting written feedback. The paper concludes with reflections, and advice, on introducing audio feedback.     

Narrative inquiry as a mediational space: examining emotional and cognitive dissonance in second‐language teachers' development

In the practice of teacher education, most would agree that critical reflection in and on the process of learning to teach and the activities of teaching play a central role in teachers' professional development. Using Vygotskian sociocultural theory, we examine how narrative inquiry functions as a culturally developed tool that mediates teachers' professional development. We analyzed narratives written by three teachers of English as a second/foreign language set in three different instructional contexts. Our analysis suggests an interwoven connection between emotion and cognition, which drove these teachers to search for mediational tools to help them externalize their experiences. The activity of engaging in narrative inquiry created a mediational space where teachers were able to draw upon various resources, such as private journals, peers and ‘expert’ or theoretical knowledge, that allow them to reconceptualize and reinternalize new understandings of themselves as teachers and their teaching activities. The intersection of experiential and ‘expert’ knowledge provided a discourse through which these teachers named experiences and constructed a basis upon which they grounded their transformed understandings of themselves as teachers and their teaching. Depending on where these teachers were in their professional development when they wrote their narratives, we uncovered evidence of idealized conceptions of teaching with commitment to action as well as the transformation of teachers' material activities. Implications for the role teachers' narrative inquiry may play in teacher education programs are provided.     

语法隐喻下名词化的简化与衔接

名词化是语法隐喻的主要表现形式,名词化的使用是英语书面语和正式语体的主要特征.了解英语名词化的功能,学会正确使用名词化,能够帮助学生写作避免过于口语化,简练、准确、生动地表达自己的思想.