What are some characteristics of effective feedback?

Effective feedback is characterized by being constructive, specific, and timely. This means that feedback should not just point out areas for improvement but also provide actionable suggestions that help students understand how to enhance their skills or performance. Being specific ensures that students know exactly what they did well or need to work on, making it more useful than vague feedback that lacks clarity. Timeliness is essential as well; providing feedback soon after an assessment or task allows students to reflect, learn, and apply the suggestions in a relevant and meaningful context.

This approach fosters a growth mindset, encouraging students to engage with their learning processes actively and understand that mistakes are a part of learning. It also helps build students' confidence, as they can see their progress over time through actionable insights rather than just numerical grades.