Providing+feedback

= Providing feedback =

Overview
Feedback is essential to the learning process. Without valid and timely feedback, student misconceptions will never be corrected, and learning will not take place. Feedback must be constructive and instructive in nature. Criticism without suggestions for improvement will not aid the student in acquiring knowledge. Timeliness of feedback allows students to modify their ideas early in the learning process, facilitating successful acquisition of concept understanding.

1) Online tools for peer and teacher feedback
Providing the tools to facilitate peer feedback enhances the learning process in many ways. Students learn how to give and receive constructive criticism. When students know their efforts will be viewed by a larger audience, they take greater pains to perfect their work. The instant gratification of an online quiz environment appeals to digital natives.
 * Rationale**

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 * Google presentations

o Students (and teachers) can use Google presentations to create a slide show. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msoasciifontfamily: Tahoma; msobidifontfamily: Tahoma; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msochartype: symbol; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msohansifontfamily: Tahoma; msosymbolfontfamily: Symbol;">o Using the chat feature, students can give live feedback.
 * <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msoasciifontfamily: Tahoma; msobidifontfamily: Tahoma; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msochartype: symbol; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msohansifontfamily: Tahoma; msosymbolfontfamily: Symbol;">o Teachers who have used this feature have found it to be extremely engaging for students.


 * Teachers can give feedback to students using Google docs. Students could also post their work for peer review.


 * Teachers can use online tools to create instant feedback learning activities.
 * FunnelBrain is a site that allows teachers to create flashcards for student use.

>> given a different color, and a feedback channel is included with each document. It provides an extremely easy way to allow >> students to produce peer feedback.  >> instant feedback to students. It provides the ability to create assessments with true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, >> matching, or arithmetic questions. Students can take the assessments and receive instant feedback on their level of >> understanding.
 * Etherpad allows students to post their work instantaneously, with no account needed. Each contributor to a document is
 * The free online learning environment provided in Edu2.0 allows teachers to create assessments for students. It provides


 * Requirements**
 * A computer with Internet access.


 * Cost**
 * Google presentations, Google docs: free
 * www.funnelbrain.com: free
 * www.etherpad.com: free
 * www.edu20.org: free

2) Online record keeping for teacher gradebooks[[image:ProgressBookLogo.jpg width="252" height="70" align="right" caption="Retrieved from https://www.progressbook.com/General/Home.aspx"]]
** Rationale ** There are a number of tools available for online classroom record keeping. Edline, ProgressBook, and edu2.0 all provide a means for teachers to provide students with online access to their grades. Online grade books facilitate communication between parents and teachers, as online grading systems include email contact information for students, parents, and teachers. In addition, paperwork is minimized, as assignments can be turned in electronically, and feedback can be given online. Using an online grading system can save instructional time, because the time that was spent handing back papers can be used for teaching.


 * Requirements**
 * A computer with Internet access for teachers, students, and parents.

> dollars per pupil. (Gibsonburg Exempted Village District, 2009) 
 * Cost**
 * Edline is usually two to three dollars per student, although the per pupil cost may be higher for smaller districts. (Fox, 2004)
 * The price per student for ProgressBook varies. If schools are part of a consortium, the cost is about six
 * Edu2.0 is free.

3) Classroom feedback systems
** Rationale ** Classroom feedback systems can be used to keep students engaged in their learning. One feedback system that is not considered very much by educators would be the use of Nintendo DS. Nintendo DS classroom will be released in 2010 for use in Japan (@http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/clay-dillow/culture-buffet/nintendo-goes-school-ds-classroom-turns-handheld-console-teaching-to), which will provide networked online educational gaming competitions. The Board of Education in Osaka, Japan purchased Nintendo DS systems for select schools, requiring their use in the classroom. ( @http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17973 ) Currently, Nintendo DS supports up to sixteen players competing against each other in the Brain Training game. Pictochat can currently be used for gathering student results also. The use of Nintendo DS as a classroom response system would be especially appealing to younger students.

Iclickers are another type of classroom response system. Iclickers can be used to instantaneously poll a classroom. They keep students engaged in the learning process.

> students.
 * Requirements**
 * Windows compatible computer with a USB port is needed for iClickers.
 * A projection system, and a screen resolution of 1024 x 768.
 * IClicker software is freely downloadable, and floats above any application. Questions can be presented in any format to the

Cost
> when their new product is launched.
 * Nintendo DS would be $130-$160 per console, plus about $20 for each software title. Perhaps they will offer educational pricing
 * A classroom set of iClickers (www.iclicker.com) costs approximately $1000. This is a special 'sale' price quote. It includes 25 student remotes, a receiver/base, one USB cable, one flash drive with software, a small carrying case, and one blue instructor remote. After shipping, the total price is $943.50. (Source: quote received through email from iClicker)

**Student Motivation**

Student motivation would increase through the use of these strategies. The use of peer feedback encourages students to try harder, because they are very concerned about how they are perceived by their peers. Classroom response systems have been proven to keep students engaged in the learning process. Using web resources to provide immediate feedback can be highly motivating to digital natives. The ability to check grades at any time allows parents to support the educational process, which can be very motivating for their children. Students are encouraged to seek extra assistance before comprehension issues become insurmountable. Since students always know their grades, they become more motivated to increase their effort, if needed, to reach their desired grade.

Resources
 Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. (2005). //Focus on Effectiveness.// Retrieved from Gibsonburg Exempted Village School District. (2009). //Five Year Technology Plan.// Retrieved from Fox, P. (2004). //Online Report Cards Update Parents on Progress.// Retrieved from