Feedback Strategies

The article I chose to read was The Difference Between Praise and Feedback. This article was interesting for a few reasons. The article talks about how praising by saying general terms like "You're so good this" or "You have talent" is not the right way to go about it, because it sets kids up for feeling like if they try something new and they aren't "naturally talented" then they might as well not do it because they can't get better.

Instead of quick fixes like those, you should instead try to actually pay attention to what the child is doing and give them feedback based on specific things you noticed like "I noticed that when you did this, it looks like you have been working hard to improve it." The article also stresses asking more questions about what your child is thinking or feeling about what they did, and being more engaging rather than just giving them an "good job".

I think this distinction is very important, because you are instilling in them that they can work hard to get good at something, even if they aren't not naturally amazing at it. I also really like the idea of not taking the easy way out, but actually paying attention to small details of your children's performance, and giving them your thoughts on it, as well as asking about their thoughts on it.

Although I have definitely been guilty of taking the easy route and just telling someone that they are good at something, I also think that I can be pretty good at giving useful feedback. I like what I have learned in this article, and I think it will help me to not just give someone a quick fix of praise, but actually pay more attention to what they are thinking and feeling, and give them good feedback instead. I think that after reading this article I will try to give people credit where credit is due when it comes to their process, but also give them my opinion on what I think could be changed or further improved upon. I am a little nervous about being able to give good feedback, but I am sure that I can get better as the semester goes on, and I look forward to it.