Feedback
Why feedback is important
Feedback is given so you know what you need to improve on when completing your next assignment. It is easy to feel upset about low marks but try to focus instead on what you’re going to do to improve next time.
The feedback you receive on your assignments should help you to do this. Responding to your lecturers’ comments by improving future work can have a major effect on your subsequent grades.
What do you think gets good or poor marks?
What will cause you to get low marks?
Here are some examples with possible comments from lecturers:
- Weak structures – “You have written everything you know without any logical order.”
- Not enough research, thought or reflection – “You haven’t answered the question.”
- Mainly descriptive rather than analytical – “You have just paraphrased some sources without considering the importance of the issue.”
What gives you better marks?
- Meeting the assessment criteria
- Follows guidelines e.g. referencing
- Understands key issues
- Answers the question (focused)
- Is well structured and organised
- Demonstrates good background reading from reliable sources
- Has a clear argument and reasoning
- Uses data and evidence
- Demonstrates reflection and analysis
To gain even higher marks, your work should:
- Demonstrate active engagement with arguments around the subject
- Be thought-provoking and show some originality
- Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the significance of relevant issues
- Demonstrate synthesis: bring ideas together and show links
Different types of feedback
All types of feedback are important and could lead to you improving your marks:
- Written comments on your assignment cover
- Receiving comments by email
- By talking with your lecturer or tutor
- Peer feedback from a classmate
- Your own self-evaluation of your work
- Verbal comments in a seminar group
- Written comments throughout your assignment
Summative & formative assessments
Summative: Usually appears at the end of a module/course or a topic of study. It counts towards your final mark. Summative is referred to as assessment of learning.
Formative: used for developmental purposes during your modules. It doesn’t count towards your final marks. Formative assessment is often referred to as assessment for learning.
- Although it does not count, it is very useful for feedback that will help you in future assessments.