feedback strategies

Here is what I have learned from the two articles I read over feedback:

1. After reading, "Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback that Fosters a Growth Mindset" I learned -

• Being specific with what the reader has done and how it was helpful and/or useful to the assignment will help them learn what should be repeated again.
• Focusing on what has gone well rather than what is missing will guide the reader to focus, and reuse, those positives in future work without feeling discouraged.
• Taking yourself out of the feedback will help the reader thrive off their own capabilities, rather than to simply please the audience.

2. After reading, "How to Craft Constructive Feedback" I learned -  

• Sometimes all you need to do is be a witness to someone's work and share thanks for them taking their time to open up and share.
• Observe what stood out to you and repeat them through examples to the reader.
• Describe how the work made you feel.
• Suggest any place that you may see could use improvement to make the work even better.

(Photo by Jurgen Appelo)

feedback thoughts

In my opinion, feedback is a wonderful thing...if done correctly.

I read "Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head" by Sabina Nawaz because it stood out to me. I know that I am, and always have been, my own worst critic. 

Overtime, I have learned that I accept feedback the best when it is partnered with a solution. But, like Rajeev, I also got to read comments from students that I taught one semester. All were positive besides one, and I couldn't help but focus on that one comment. Looking back, I find it silly that I spent time on one comment when there was so much positivity from others around it. 

I also read "Recalibrating the Perfectionist Mind" by Dr. Jay-Lee Nair. I thought this would be perfect as I was freaking out when I realized I was going to have to write stories in this class. I often get that feeling of paralysis in the mind when put to a task I may not succeed at. I am a big "what if" thinker when it comes to doing complex tasks. Instead, I should brainstorm all of my strengths that will help me conquer the task at hand. 

Being a gymnast growing up, much of my performance was a mental game. If you were nervous for that back handspring series on the beam during competition, you were probably going to fall. My coaches always drilled positive thinking and had us imagine ourselves hitting a perfect routine just before saluting. I did not even think about applying this concept to my everyday performances. I think this will help me get going to tasks that are intimidating. I also think that if I focus on what strengths will help me through the given task, I will become better and much more productive at trying things out of my comfort zone.

(Photo from PureHappyLife.com)