#8

Mason and Bruning (1999) stated the definition of educational feedback as, “Any message generated in response to a learner’s action” (p. 1). Meaningful feedback is highly important for all individuals that are trying to accomplish a task and would like to know how they are doing along the way. Immediate feedback from my instructors has always been great. The meaningful feedback helped me to realize what areas I needed to grow in and also the areas that I was doing well in. Feedback can be provided on a learner to learner basis or given to the class as a whole. With the meaningful and immediate feedback, I also knew what direction to take throughout the course. This also helped to have a more rich learning experience throughout most of my educational courses. Feedback in e-learning courses helps the learners through the educational process and helps them to become better learners. Feedback in e-learning courses also helps the instructors to teach each course better with the feedback that they received from previous courses.
Maki and Maki (2007) also found that e-learning courses are more successful when there is methodology present and chances for the learners to obtain feedback from their instructors along with feedback from other learners. Feedback is a form of communication and communication is the key to success in all online courses for both the learners and the instructors. Feedback helps the learners to be more engaged throughout the course. Wolsey (2008) stated, “In training, supervision, and educational settings, feedback is regarded as something with vaguely positive effects that helps along communication about expected outcomes and possibilities” (p. 311).
Smith (2003) explained that by telling the truth when providing feedback, whether that truth is good or bad, that you are in fact helping the learner. Smith stated, “You are showing them that you are taking their work seriously and giving poorly performing employees the chance to improve their performance” (p. 4). Smith explained that most individuals do not know how to give perceptive, meaningful feedback, however this is a skill that an individual can study and master. Smith provided the following helpful hints that instructors or managers can do to provide meaningful feedback: “Structuring the review, set the stage, make criticism constructive, provide examples, don’t forget the good, enable two-way communication; don’t limit feedback to one day per year” (p. 4).
Reeder (2010) explained that one way that instructors can have great e-learning courses is by asking for the learner’s feedback. Reeder stated that, “It will help you to spot problems, and improve course materials on the fly” (p.26). Asking for feedback from the learners let them realize that you are concerned with how they are doing and that you are concerned with what they think (Reeder, 2010). Wolsey (2008) explained that feedback can be provided in varies ways and the reason for the feedback can vary as well. This can be done through email, discussion boards, chats, phone conferences, web cams, or black boards.
Gallien and Oomen-Early (2008) explained that feedback has many benefits, however it may be difficult to instructors at times. Providing feedback can be very time consuming. Gallien and Oomen-Early explained what happens in a face-to-face class and stated, “Instructions, concepts, and feedback can be orally communicated in a relatively short period of time; however, in the online class, instructors must concisely communicate their thoughts in written words so every student clearly understands what is being communicated” (p. 464). Hackman and Walker in Gallien and Oomen-Earl found that when instructors provided feedback on a regular basis once assignments were turned in that the learners really enjoyed their classes.
In conclusion, feedback is great, whether it is in an educational setting or a professional environment. Feedback helps the learners. It is also a great tool that the instructors can utilize to improve their instructional methods.
References
Maki, R. H. and Maki, W.S. (Eds.). (2007). Online course. Handbook of
applied cognition (2nded.). New York: Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mason, B. J., & Bruning, R. (1999). Providing feedback in computer-based
instruction: What the research tells us. Retrieved from
http://dwb.unl.edu/Edit/MB/MasonBruning.html.
Gallien, T., & Oomen-Earl, J. (2008). Personalized versus collective
instructor feedback in the online courseroom: Does type feedback
affect student satisfaction, academic performance and
perceived connectedness with the instructor? International Journal on
E-learning, 7(3), 463-476.
Reeder, C. (2010). Keys to creating a successful online course for do-it-
yourselfers. Education Digest, 75(5), 24-27.
Smith, S. (2003). Giving employees meaningful, motivating feedback.
Westchester County Business Journal, 42(15), 4.
Wolsey, T. D. (2008). Efficacy of instructor feedback on written work in
an online program. International Journal on E-Learning, 7(2), 311-329.