Effective Feedback in Online Learning

Introduction

We receive and give feedback daily in our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and choice of words. The feedback we receive can set the tone for our day, or our like or dislike of a person, place, or topic. When we receive feedback that is meaningful and presented in a pleasant manner, we are more likely to accept it, and enjoy our experience.

Imagine you have just given a presentation of your recent work in an online environment. If you do not get feedback from the audience: questions; smiley face; virtual applause; or similar feedback; you have no idea if anyone is interested, agrees, disagrees, or what they are thinking. Is this much different than an online learner performing a task, demonstration, essay, presentation, etc., and not receiving feedback? How does this compare to just receiving a grade without comments?

A common concern of instructors and faculty is that hours are spent by them providing feedback, and learners just look at their mark and ignore the rest (Wiggins, 2012). These learners are often called “grade peepers” (Crane, 1995). Both assessment and feedback are important, they will impact instructor workloads; however technology can help alleviate the time required. Friesen (2009) suggests “learning something about these technologies, about their educational contextualization” (p. 39) so as to employ them best. Once an instructor is comfortable with various strategies and techniques suitable for online learning they can be used to reduce the grade peeping. Graves (2013) points out that learners are more likely to use helpful feedback on assignments that are nested or progressive. Williams (2013), who has worked in writing centers helping learners improve their writing, points out that often feedback is not very helpful;

Traditionally, feedback has been provided through oral, meta-verbal, or written communication. Advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), provide many suitable options for feedback in online learning. The “appropriateness of a particular technology will depend on the context in which it is to be used” (Bates, 2008, p. 222). Many methods are suitable for feedback in multiple contexts and will be discussed in detail in this chapter:

• 1.

  Automated tutors;

• 2.

  Auto-scoring of assignments;

• 3.

  Self-checks;

• 4.

  Written comments;

• 5.

  Oral comments;

• 6.

  Meta-verbal;

• 7.

  Emoticons;

• 8.

  Peer feedback; and

• 9.

  Reflective networks (Anderson, 2008; Costello, 2009; Costello & Crane, 2009; Crane, 2010).

This chapter starts with a definition of e-feedback, followed by a brief discussion on assessment, and then an in-depth discussion of why, how to provide, and types of feedback. The chapter concludes with a discussion of various technologies and techniques for providing feedback for online learners.

Defining Feedback

Feedback is not the grade on a paper (Wiggins, 2012). Feedback is the comments, questions, and information on how we are achieving our predetermined goal. Thus, feedback includes emoticons, facial expressions, language, tone, body language, gestures, and comments made during the learning process. As with any form of communication, there is a sender and a receiver, and both the instructor and learner can play both roles during the feedback process (Cantor, 2008).