Thoughtful and Timely Feedback

Providing clear, timely, substantial feedback to learners is a foundational principle of modern educational learning theory. Why does feedback matter so much?

When I was in ninth grade my algebra teacher labeled me as one of the dumb kids. In fact, I was struggling with a course design problem related to feedback. Many times, she would provide feedback on my algebra assignments weeks or even months after I turned in the work. At that point, it was too late to implement her suggestions to improve my performance on the next assignment.

Contrast that experience with my experience taking algebra in college. By the time I took college Algebra, an online learning tool called MyMathLab had revolutionized homework and feedback for Algebra students. Rather than face the harsh criticism and personal judgment of my teacher months after I had done my assignments, MyMathLab provided impersonal, instant feedback for me, allowing me the freedom to fail without feeling singled out as a person of below average intelligence. I aced the course and all subsequent Algebra and math courses I took in college.

The primary difference between my algebra teacher in high school and the automatic, algorithmic learning program was that I received instant feedback on each step of the process. My feedback was always 100% accurate. The feedback the computer gave me was always accompanied with videos that showed me how to do the problem correctly, passages from the textbook that explained the learning concepts, and the computer would even solve the problem for me if I chose and give me a new, similar problem to solve.

In developing a professional teaching practice, providing timely and complete feedback to learners shows our respect for their work. Student work is the heart of a course. Our goal as teachers should be to to empower students to become scholars, subject matter experts, and skilled practitioners of their Biblical craft. My goal in Apologetics is not to cover all the content or subject matter, although those are one important element of the course. My goal is to train Biblical apologists who are capable, confident, and yet humble. My goal is to instill an attitude of gentleness and respect but to develop the skill of making a defense for the classic doctrines of the Christian faith.

No teacher that I know loves grading. I would challenge you, however, that we ignore the centrality of feedback at our own peril. Easy assignments that give the illusion of learning will not leave students satisfied for the long term with the learning they experienced at Bible School. 

Populi gives us new and exciting ways to gather data and provide feedback for our students. For example, the lessons feature of Populi allows us to have an intelligent conversation with our students about the amount of time they spent engaging with the material, the number of words that they generated in discussion forums, and the frequency and depth of their engagement with the material.  

I hope that the following verses will spur us on to appreciate and value the opportunity and privilege we each get to hone and sharpen student’s skills as they faithfully demonstrate their learning for us:

Proverbs 15: 31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise (NLT)

Proverbs 3:12 “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. ” (KJV)

Proverbs 11:14  “Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (AMP)