WHAT IS FEEDBACK?

FORMS OF FEEDBACK
The aim of feedback can be seen as either: Feedback comes in many forms and each type will help
you in a different way. It is important to understand the
 FORMATIVE: Feedback to help you improve or types of feedback you might encounter for the work you
develop your work while there is still time to make are undertaking.
improvements or changes.
Written feedback
 SUMMATIVE: Information that usually comes at
the end of a module or assignment that tells you  Ideas and observations, corrections, advice
how you have performed – this could be a grade or
could include written feedback, either personal or Verbal feedback
generic.
 During or after classes
Feedback exists in any process, activity or information
that enhances learning. It provides you with the  From tutors / peers about essays and plans
opportunity to reflect on your marks and understand
your strengths as well as identify areas requiring  Discussion of essay marks and comments
improvement.
Feedback is not only provided in formal review or
Feedback can take many forms. The written form assignment situations, it may be provided on a day-to-day
of feedback you receive when essays are marked is basis in tutorials and through casual discussion. Feedback
important, but is not the only form of feedback you will presented in this way can be just as valuable as a written
receive. For example: feedback sheet or notated coursework.
 Tutors often provide feedback during seminar
discussions and consultation and feedback hours, providing FEEDBACK FORMATS
advice before and after various assignments.
FEEDBACK AS
 Tutors may provide feedback on assignment plans
either in person or by email. ADVICE
ADVICE
“If were you, I would approach…”
 All tutors have consultation and feedback hours when they “If I were you, I would take this approach
are available to give feedback and provide advice. “Have you thought about because…”
trying this..?”

In addition to the module organiser or seminar tutor, you

can get advice from the personal tutor assigned to you by GUIDANCE
the department. You will also receive extensive advice from “Have you thought about trying this…?”
your East Asian Studies dissertation supervisors.

The three main forms of feedback are therefore:

COACHING
 Comments on essays and exam answers. “What you did worked well in this way. Next time
try doing it this way…”
 Discussions in class.

 Talking through your ideas with tutors or peers.

DIRECTION
Indeed, you will encounter a variety of forms of feedback “Do this…”
during your time at Sheffield. Some will be more obvious
than others, and it is important that you are able to
recognise and respond to feedback appropriately. Feedback GRADE
is not something that you should passively receive. It is “This is how well your work addressed the
important to realise, therefore, that feedback is a two-way
discussion that should allow you to reflect upon and
assessment criteria…”
analyse your work in order to improve future
performance.
 As part of the learning process, you will usually need to
MAKING THE MOST OF actively reflect upon and interpret your feedback for it to be
FEEDBACK effective. Ask for clarification if there is something you
don’t understand. Don’t repeat the same mistakes. Before
Feedback can be an exceptionally useful tool, so it is vital starting a new piece of work, review previous feedback and
that you take as much from it as possible. think about how it might inform the next assignment.

PREPARE FEEDBACK IS TIMELY

Check the criteria; make sure your work
addresses it You will receive regular feedback throughout your
modules. The department aims to mark all essays and
other work submitted during the semester within three
CHECK FOR CLARITY weeks of receipt (excluding vacation weeks). You will be
Make sure work is clear and clearly presented notified by email when your feedback is available to view
or collect.

QUESTION YOURSELF Keep a record of feedback and use it to inform

What questions might you be asked? What future work
would you like advice on?
IMPORTANT: In order to keep a record of your
marks and the comments to refer back to for future
CHECK PAST FEEDBACK assignments, you are advised to save a copy of your work.
Don’t repeat the same mistakes Any marks and comments provided through MOLE will
only be available for the period in which you are studying
the module, so it is important that you download them as
LISTEN soon as possible as you will not be able to retrieve them at a
Take in as much as possible; and get a friend to later stage.
write down any feedback (if verbal)
FEEDBACK IS DELIVERED
APPLICATION CONSISTENTLY
Apply any comments given to you to current and
future work Your feedback will be delivered in an accessible and
consistent manner and will relate to the module
assessment criteria and learning outcomes set out in
ENGAGING WITH the module outlines. Although minimal comments are made
on exam scripts, all students are given the opportunity to
FEEDBACK view their marked exams scripts and then use the module
organiser’s consultation and feedback hours for any further
Many students ignore written feedback and only consider advice.
their grade. The grade is important but doing this misses a
vital opportunity for action and improvement. Feedback
should be a two-way process, an on-going dialogue FEEDBACK IS QUALITY
between you and your tutors and sometimes your peers. In
order for feedback to work for you, you need to engage MAINTAINED
with the process so that you can improve your future
performance. The department takes feedback very seriously and
has adopted a number of principles to ensure that it is
delivered consistently to all students.
FEEDBACK IS ABOUT
The department will ensure that the feedback you receive is
LEARNING of good quality. Internal moderation processes will ensure
that the comments and marks have been arrived at
Feedback will help you to improve your future accurately, consistently and fairly and in accordance with
performance as well as provide comments on work you the assessment criteria.
have already submitted. It should affirm what you already
know and offer encouragement that leads to improved Don’t forget, there are lots of services, resources and
future performance. The various forms of feedback include: training courses available to help you improve your skills;
written and face to face (both individual and collectively) all hosted through the 301 Skills Centre
electronically via MOLE, by email, in academic www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301
consultation and feedback hours, from your tutors or peers
in seminars, a conversation with your tutor/supervisor,
annotation of your written work etc. You are encouraged to
look at your performance across all modules and make
connections between strengths and weaknesses across the
board. These can then be discussed with your personal tutor
in order to improve.
HINTS AND TIPS
VERBAL WRITTEN

Remember you can ask your reviewer questions Keep a record of feedback and use it to inform
future work

Before starting a new piec of work, review

Make the most of the time available previous feedback and incorporate the advice
into your new assignment

If you are required to respond, take a moment

If feedback isn’t legible, ask for clarification
to compose your answer

Ask for clarification if there is a question or

Analyse feedback and apply it to your work
answer you don’t understand