I think that feedback is extremely important, not only in an academic setting, but just in life in general. I LOVE feedback in my life. Two years ago I began working as a millwright (installing and maintaining machinery) with absolutely no construction experience or history of using anything other than basic hand tools. I felt really out of place the first month or so, but I am really lucky that I came in with the understanding that no one starts out as a professional, and you have to do things wrong in order to learn and grow from it. I have made a million mistakes in the last two years of learning this trade, but after I make a mistake once and get feedback about the right way to do it, I file that in my head and grow stronger because of it.
Feedback, both positive and negative, is crucial to the process of learning and growing, no matter what it is that you are doing. A lot of the time, a second set of eyes will catch something that the other one didn't. This is why this process is very important, because you can spend hours and hours on a paper, going over it over and over again, but once you have someone read it the can usually spot any errors the first time going through it. I really like feedback, and I look forward to giving it as well as receiving it this semester.
Hey Anthony – I commend your attitude towards feedback and agree that it is crucial to your self-awareness and learning. Whenever I get constructive criticism at work, I make sure and ask questions about what my mistake/error was, why my actions were incorrect and what I need to do to correct it. It has helped me become successful and has also taught me how to give feedback in a way that helps others learn. I look forward to reading some of your feedback this semester!
ReplyDelete