Last updated on Jun 1, 2024

What are some best practices for giving and receiving feedback online?

Feedback and reflection are essential skills for online learners and instructors, especially in the context of continuing education. They help to assess progress, identify strengths and weaknesses, and improve learning outcomes. However, giving and receiving feedback online can be challenging due to the lack of face-to-face interaction, the diversity of learners, and the potential for miscommunication. In this article, we will explore some best practices for feedback and reflection in online learning environments, and how they can benefit both learners and instructors.

1 Define feedback and reflection

Feedback is the information that learners receive from instructors, peers, or themselves about their performance, understanding, or progress. Feedback can be formative or summative, positive or negative, specific or general, and verbal or written. Reflection is the process of thinking critically about one's own learning, feedback, and goals. Reflection can be individual or collaborative, structured or spontaneous, and formal or informal. Both feedback and reflection are important for online learning because they help learners to monitor their own learning, identify gaps, and adjust their strategies.

Add your perspective

Vinh (Leo) Trang Phú

Official Representative & Senior Consultant | Halifax Consulting Asia | Value Selling & Sales Leadership Training
Report contribution
When providing or receiving feedback online, bear in mind professionalism and focus on the work rather than the individual. Provide constructive feedback, noting specific areas for improvement and making recommendations. Maintain a respectful tone and avoid personal attacks. Keep an open mind when receiving feedback. Thank the person for their insights and consider how you may use them to better your work.

Like

Unhelpful

2 Use a feedback model

A feedback model is a framework that guides the giver and receiver of feedback to make it more effective and constructive. There are different feedback models that can be used in online learning, such as the sandwich model, the STAR model, or the 3C model. The sandwich model consists of giving positive feedback, followed by constructive criticism, and ending with positive feedback again. The STAR model stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, and it helps to give specific and objective feedback based on observable behaviors and outcomes. The 3C model stands for Context, Content, and Consequence, and it helps to give feedback that is relevant, clear, and actionable.

Add your perspective

3 Provide timely and frequent feedback

Feedback is more useful when it is given soon after the learning activity, rather than delayed or sporadic. Timely feedback helps learners to remember what they did, correct their mistakes, and reinforce their achievements. Frequent feedback helps learners to track their progress, stay motivated, and adjust their goals. Online instructors should provide feedback at regular intervals, such as weekly or biweekly, and use different methods, such as email, video, or online forums. Online learners should also seek feedback from their instructors and peers, and not wait until the end of the course or assignment.

Add your perspective

David Halabourda

Helping improve manufacturing efficiency through process improvement and digital transformation.
Report contribution
Timely and frequent feedback is essential, especially when managing teams remotely in the construction industry. Utilizing online platforms allows for instant and ongoing communication, which is crucial for addressing issues as they arise and preventing small errors from turning into costly mistakes. Establishing regular check-ins via video calls or project management tools ensures that feedback is not only prompt but also constructive, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation.

Like

Unhelpful

4 Encourage self and peer feedback

Self and peer feedback are valuable sources of feedback for online learners, as they foster autonomy, collaboration, and critical thinking. Self-feedback is the feedback that learners give to themselves based on their own reflection and evaluation. Peer feedback is the feedback that learners give to each other based on their observation and comparison. Online instructors should encourage self and peer feedback by providing clear criteria, rubrics, or checklists for learners to use, and by creating opportunities for learners to share their feedback with each other, such as online discussions, peer reviews, or group projects.

Add your perspective

David Halabourda

Helping improve manufacturing efficiency through process improvement and digital transformation.
Report contribution
Encouraging self-assessment and peer feedback among team members can greatly enhance individual and group performance, particularly in settings where remote work is common. Implementing digital tools that allow team members to anonymously review each other’s work can provide diverse perspectives and foster a collaborative environment. This practice helps team members become more engaged in their work and more aware of the group dynamics, which is especially valuable in complex construction projects.

Like

Unhelpful

5 Reflect on feedback and action

Feedback is not enough if it is not followed by reflection and action. Reflection is the process of analyzing the feedback, identifying the strengths and weaknesses, and making sense of the learning experience. Action is the process of applying the feedback, making changes, and improving the performance or understanding. Online instructors should facilitate reflection and action by asking learners to write reflective journals, portfolios, or blogs, and by giving them feedback on their reflection and action. Online learners should also reflect on their own feedback and action, and set SMART goals for their future learning.

Add your perspective

6 Use feedback and reflection tools

Feedback and reflection tools are online platforms or applications that can help to enhance the feedback and reflection process in online learning. Some examples of feedback and reflection tools are Google Forms, Padlet, Kahoot, Flipgrid, or Socrative. These tools can help to collect, organize, and share feedback in different formats, such as surveys, quizzes, polls, videos, or audio. They can also help to stimulate reflection and action by providing instant feedback, gamification, collaboration, or self-assessment features. Online instructors and learners should explore different feedback and reflection tools and choose the ones that suit their needs and preferences.

Add your perspective

Continuing Education

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?

It’s great It’s not so great

Report this article

See all

What are some best practices for giving and receiving feedback online?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Define feedback and reflection

2 Use a feedback model

3 Provide timely and frequent feedback

4 Encourage self and peer feedback

5 Reflect on feedback and action

6 Use feedback and reflection tools

Continuing Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Continuing Education

More relevant reading