Teaching Tip: 10 ways to help students give constructive feedback

February 3, 2015

Marissa Carl

Giving constructive feedback to help improve someone’s work isn’t always easy. Comments such as “I really liked it” or “I didn’t get it” don’t help the originator make improvements. Here are 10 suggestions students might consider when giving comments to their peers.

1. Be thorough. Consider the difference between spelling, grammar and formatting edits, and constructive content comments.


2. Be descriptive. If you “like something,” tell why.


3. Look for gaps. Point out possible omissions that might support or oppose an argument that the writer might not have considered. Point out other perspectives and offer examples.


4. Have an open mind. You don’t have to agree with the argument.


5. It’s OK to cut the fluff. If something seems like filler, suggest omitting it.


6. Equal opportunity. Don’t praise or criticize without giving an example or a suggestion.


7. Suggestions vs. corrections. When you receive peer responses, you don’t have to accept and make all of the changes.


8. Preparation for career. Being able to give and receive peer responses emulates activities in the real world.


9. For novice reviewers. Have students work in groups and assign each member a specific role: spelling and grammar guru, fact checker or devil’s advocate, for example.


10. Better yourself. Thinking about, and giving peer responses, makes your own work better. You gain an understanding of reviewing your work from a different perspective.

Read the full Teaching Tip on iTeachU.uaf.edu.

Teaching Tip by Heidi Olson, UAF eLearning Learning Design Coordinator.