What characteristic makes feedback effective for students?

Effective feedback for students is characterized by its alignment with the learning objectives. When feedback is directly tied to specific learning goals, it becomes a powerful tool for guiding student progress and enhancing understanding. By focusing on the intended outcomes of the lesson or curriculum, students can clearly see how their performance aligns with what they are expected to learn. This relevance helps them identify areas for improvement, motivates them to engage with the material more deeply, and allows for targeted revisions or practice.

In contrast, feedback that is only provided at the end of the term lacks the timeliness and frequency needed to make adjustments to learning strategies effectively. Focusing solely on grades may create an emphasis on performance rather than understanding, which can discourage learning. Additionally, providing feedback that is general and broad mitigates its effectiveness, as it does not address specific issues or achievements that students need to focus on for improvement. Therefore, feedback that is aligned with learning objectives not only supports academic growth but also reinforces the learning process as a whole.