By Cathy Benedetto, Education Consultant Volume 1, Number 8 April 2010
Welcome to cbbrainwaves...
In 1992, researcher John Hattie made a statement that caused educators to sit up and take notice. After analyzing nearly 8,000 studies, Hattie announced: "The most powerful single modification that enhances achievement is feedback." Yet in most teacher education programs, future educators are seldom taught any specifics regarding feedback. Most graduate without understanding that there are some definite do's and don'ts when it comes to providing feedback. In the current climate that places a heavy emphasis on test scores, it behooves all of us to implement strategies that enhance achievement. Quality feedback is one such strategy. With that in mind, research indicates the following:
- Feedback should explain what is both correct and incorrect.
- For feedback to be effective, timing is important.
- Feedback should be specific to the targeted knowledge.
- Students can be effective providers of their own feedback.
In this issue we'll take a closer look at the research and strategies behind these four principles.
Filling a need with cbbrainwaves...
cbbrainwaves is designed to present research based information and skills so teachers can apply them immediately and inexpensively. Its purpose is to empower all educators. But it is also for parents, because parents or the responsible adults in students' lives are important in determining student success. Students need involvement, supervision and support from home. They need parents who are aware of brain research & the benefits it offers their child. Parents need knowledge about the impact of music, physical activity and art on a child's ability to learn. They should understand the importance of classroom atmosphere and quality teacher feedback. They should know how memory works.
This monthly e-zine will address these areas, offering concrete suggestions for both teachers and parents. Structurally, cbbrainwaves will (1) introduce a topic; (2) review research findings on that topic; (3) list practical applications for classroom teachers, educational leaders and parents. A forum is provided for all concerned to ask questions, contribute information, and involve themselves in a dialogue about teaching and learning.
If we truly want our educational system to improve, we must refine the over-emphasis on theory, and expand the nuts and bolts of 'how to teach'. It is less important for a prospective teacher to write an essay on the history of education in the United States than it is for them to be able to teach and teach well!
Topics
The following is an alphabetical list of some of the topics that will be covered. Additional topics will appear based on teacher and parent suggestions.
- Assessment and Curriculum
- Classroom Rapport Notebooks
- Effective Groups and Teams
- Emotions and Learning
- Feedback
- Finding Time to Do All This
- Giving Directions
- Homework
- Learner Choice and Motivation
- Memory
- Motivation and Rewards
- Music and Learning
- Multi-Path Learning
- Novelty, Emotion and Rituals
- Physical Movement and Learning
- States ofAttention
- Stress and Threats in the Classroom
- Teacher Organizational SKills
- Touch, Sight and Taste and Learning
Issue #8: Effective Feedback
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