Feedback system for adaptive learning

You will agree that feedback is an essential component of any teaching/ learning process. And when it comes to adaptive learning, lack of feedback could jeopardize the entire process. The feedback you provide helps learners understand their mistakes and learn from them. This, subsequently, helps in retention of information which makes them less likely to commit the same mistakes again.

An effective constructive feedback system can strengthen your adaptive learning strategy by supporting online learners as well as informing pedagogues regarding the needs of their target audience and how the learning strategy can be altered to meet those needs.

Follow the tips given below to maximize the benefits of a constructive feedback system:

  1. Identify your primary goals: If your constructive feedback system is to be effective, you must consider your primary objectives and understand what you are hoping to achieve through the system. For instance: Do you want to gauge the effectiveness of an online course or do you wish to receive learners’ opinion about a particular video learning module? Identifying your goal will help you to determine the method and source of receiving and offering feedback.

  2. Be clear and specific: Clarity and specificity in the feedback you provide will let the learner know their weak areas and improve on the same. This avoids confusion and frustration in the minds of the learners.

  3. Offer an explanation for right and wrong answers: Offer an apt explanation as to why an answer is correct or incorrect. This helps learners grasp concepts better and reduces ambiguity in their understanding. It also helps shape critical thinking skills among learners.

  4. Include SMEs in the feedback loop: Subject Matter Experts can offer your audience the information they need in order to expand their comprehension. They can also give insights into the pros and cons of your online course.

  5. Positive reinforcement: Motivational language is an effective way to offer feedback. It helps enhance the learners’ interest as their progress is recognized and mistakes are corrected with positive reinforcement. The right choice of words can help provide meaningful feedback that inspires learners. This in turn, enables learners to ask for help or additional information and thereby helps in overall improvement and learning.

  6. Choose anonymity to receive honest feedback: If you are trying to improve your adaptive learning course or instructional design strategy and wish to receive feedback on the same, then take an anonymous survey. People are less likely to share personal ideas and thoughts if their identity is revealed and this survey can help receive an honest feedback.

  7. Focus on actionable constructive feedback: The feedback from your audience must be taken into consideration and changes should be made accordingly. Only then will the audience be convinced that their personal experience and opinions matter.

  8. Select a familiar and intuitive feedback platform: Using user-friendly feedback platform encourages the audience to participate in the feedback process. If you are using a less familiar platform, then offer a brief tutorial to introduce learners to your platform.

Do not make the mistake of viewing a constructive feedback system as an avoidable auxiliary to adaptive learning strategy. A constructive feedback system not only strengthens your adaptive learning strategy but also serves as an influential mechanism to improve learner’s competencies. A personalized feedback mechanism is more effective in comparison to an automated approach as it offers a superior learning experience.