How can feedback be effectively used to enhance student performance?

Feedback plays a crucial role in enhancing student performance, particularly when it is targeted and specific. Offering targeted insights means providing students with clear, actionable information that addresses their strengths and areas for improvement. This allows learners to understand precisely what they are doing well and where they need to focus their efforts to make progress.

Targeted feedback supports the development of skills by guiding students on how to improve their performance rather than leaving them in the dark. For instance, instead of simply stating that an assignment was "good" or "needs work," targeted feedback might highlight specific elements, such as clarity in writing or the effectiveness of argumentation, encouraging students to refine those particular aspects in future work.

When feedback is direct and specific, it increases the likelihood that students will engage with it meaningfully, fostering a growth mindset and encouraging them to take ownership of their learning process. Thus, targeted feedback not only aids in correcting mistakes but also reinforces positive practices, contributing holistically to a student's educational experience.