OVERVIEW OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTION 2: EDUCATORS PROVIDE EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK

Feedback is information provided by an agent (e.g., teacher, peer, book, parent, self/experience) regarding aspects of one’s performance or understanding (Hattie & Timperley, 2007).

Coaching-based feedback is information about observable behavior designed to assist the person being coached to better understand the impact a behavior had on a situation. It supports self-reflection and helps a teacher discover answers and solutions for themselves. Feedback that gets results has a clear connection to the teacher’s learning goal and provides them with information that is actionable.

UNPACKING EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK

The 7 Tools for Developing Teachers and Training

  • 30 Second Feedback
  • 5 minute feedback
  • reflective planning
  • positive reinforcement coaching
  • instructional coaching
  • small group coaching
  • teaching studies

“7 Tools for Developing Teachers and Teaching” was developed by Mike Rutherford (Rutherford Learning Group, 2009). These tools are a set of practices for providing non-evaluative feedback and coaching to teachers.

Download and read the handout 7 Tools for Developing Teachers and Teaching to become familiar with these strategies, paying particular attention to the steps involved in 30 Second Feedback.

30 SECOND FEEDBACK IN PRACTICE

Cushion

“Thanks for letting me be in your classroom today.”

“It was fun to be in your class today!”

“Things went really well today!”

Teaching

“When you complemented Randy for sitting quietly…”

“When you asked Martha to think about what else she could try…”

“Using clickers for math…”

Learning

“…it refocused Ethan and a few of the other kids. You didn’t have to specifically correct them.”

“…she was able to break the word apart and read it on her own.”

“…made things novel for the kids and increased everyone’s engagement.”

Tag

“That worked well to get the whole class focused.”

“That was an effective technique.”

“That took a lot of organization, but it paid off well!”