What is one characteristic of effective feedback?

Effective feedback is characterized by providing specific and actionable guidance. This means that the feedback not only highlights what the learner did well but also identifies areas for improvement in a clear and direct manner. When feedback is specific, it enables students to understand exactly what parts of their work need enhancement and offers tangible steps they can take to improve. This specificity fosters a growth mindset, encouraging learners to develop their skills through focused efforts.

In contrast, vague and general feedback fails to provide the insight necessary for students to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, limiting their ability to make meaningful improvements. Similarly, feedback that focuses solely on grades does not encourage the deep reflection needed for learning; it can often lead to a superficial understanding of what was done correctly or incorrectly. Lastly, feedback that enhances competition may create an unhealthy environment where students are more focused on outperforming their peers rather than on personal improvement and learning. Therefore, the provision of actionable guidance is essential for fostering effective learning through feedback.