The only way to improve in online classes is when you get feedback and assessments. Since there is no physical teacher present standing in front of you and correcting your mistakes as they happen, you need to take all of the learnings from feedback.
But it is problematic for students to understand the feedback, let alone work on the given comments and improve. To make the most out of feedback and assessments, students need to read them carefully and improve their work. In this blog, we will share how you can make the most out of them.
Start by Reading Everything Twice
When you receive feedback, don’t read it right away. Your initial reaction is usually emotional. When you notice a bad grade or a large number of comments, your mind reacts defensively. That reaction prevents learning.
Instead, open the feedback, close it, and wait briefly. Then, read it slowly. The second pass allows you to focus on the material rather than the emotions. Read it again with two objectives. First, look at the big picture. What is the main point of this feedback? Second, concentrate on the specifics. What sentences or phrases did the teacher highlight? Which words are more important? This provides clarity on what exactly needs attention.
Ask Questions When Feedback Is Unclear
Online feedback is usually brief. Teachers type quickly and presume you grasp their message. Sometimes you don’t. It is acceptable to seek clarification.
Send a brief email, like this: “I saw your response to my thesis statement. I’m not sure I completely grasp what needs to change. Could you elaborate a little? Most teachers appreciate this since it demonstrates that you care and are willing to learn.
Don’t let confusion linger. If you misinterpret criticism, you risk making the same mistake again, resulting in repeated comments and aggravation. Some students become overwhelmed and decide to have someone else take my math class for me. Usually, a quick clarifying email resolves the issue.
Turn Comments into a Checklist
One useful technique is to convert all feedback on an assignment into a checklist for the following one.
For example, if your teacher says, “You need stronger transitions between paragraphs,” write it down. Next time you write, double-check your note before submitting.
If they say, “Your sources are weak,” write that down as well. When choosing sources, ask yourself, “Are these actually strong, or am I just grabbing the first thing I find?”
Feedback is pointless if it is read and then forgotten. Turning it into concrete steps guarantees that you actively use what you’ve learned.
Look for Patterns Across Assignments
Sometimes feedback brings up the same issue many times. For example, assignment one may specify poor structure, followed by assignment two, and then again on assignment three.
This isn’t three independent issues. It’s a recurring issue that requires addressing. Identifying trends early allows you to address the underlying issue. Otherwise, students frequently panic as exams approach and consider outsourcing work, such as requesting an expert to “take my online class“ to keep up. Identify patterns early on, work on them, and reduce unneeded stress.
Use Rubrics Before You Submit
Many students make the mistake of just reviewing the rubric after they have received their grade. This is backwards.
Before you begin work, read the rubric. Every line matters. What does an “A” look like? What does a B look like? What is being graded?
The rubric can be used as a map. As you work, check to see if you are satisfying the criteria. This guarantees that your work meets expectations, protecting you from lost points and uncertainty.
Learn from All Types of Assessments
There are different types of assessments, such as quizzes, papers, discussions, projects, and presentations. Each of them requires different skills, and you might be good at one type of work but might need improvement in the other one.
If you get a low score in your assessments, then it is a clear indicator that you need to make some improvements. You can get the idea that you need more practice in a certain subject because of the constant low scores, or you can also ask the teacher about what went wrong. In your assignments and projects, you also get written feedback. So, see why you could not follow the requirements properly, and if you did not understand the topic better. Different subjects and tasks give different evaluations. So, adjust your approach according to that. When you combine improvement with time management strategies for students, you don’t get overwhelmed with your schedule.
Keep a Running Document of Feedback
Create a single document called “Feedback I Have Received.” Every time you receive comments, paste them there.
Before beginning a new assignment, please examine this document. What lessons have teachers already pointed out? What do you need to apply this time?
This tiny step prevents you from making the same mistakes again. When combined with effective time management methods, it enables you to organize assignments without hurrying and to provide constant feedback.
Responding When You Disagree
Sometimes, feedback may appear wrong. Perhaps the teacher misinterpreted your idea or marked the correct answer incorrectly. It can happen sometimes, but you need to respond professionally to it. Don’t send an email being rude to the professor.
Instead, you should ask them to explain it better, like saying could you show me where I went wrong? This strategy initiates a discourse rather than an argument. You may realize your teacher was correct, or they may admit an error. Either way, you’ll learn something new.
Conclusion
Whenever students get feedback, they either lose their confidence, get depressed, or start hating the subject. You don’t have to go through these emotions if you learn how to turn that critical feedback into improving and honing your skills.
You need to take some time to understand the feedback. If something feels confusing, you can respectfully ask the questions. You can also convert the comments into a checklist and start them one by one. You don’t have to do it every day on the same day you receive feedback. Work on it slowly, but make sure you understand where you went wrong.
