My revelation for today: I need to up my feedback game. Specifically, I need a systematic approach to make sure I give every student enough feedback. On top of that, I need to build it into my minute to minute thinking that I am constantly giving students not just encouragement, but also – 

Positive feedback: When a student does something well, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate their success. This can be as simple as saying “good job” or “well done” when they’ve completed a task or produced a successful project.

Personal attention: Taking the time to talk to each student individually and learn more about their interests and strengths can be a powerful way to encourage them to continue pursuing their passions.

Constructive criticism: While criticism can be difficult to hear, it can also be a powerful motivator for growth and improvement. When providing constructive criticism, it’s important to be specific, actionable, and focused on helping the student improve.

Setting goals: Setting goals can be a powerful way to encourage students to work towards achieving their objectives. By setting specific, achievable goals and providing support and guidance along the way, teachers can help their students stay focused and motivated.

Providing opportunities for success: Giving students opportunities to succeed can be a great way to build their confidence and encourage them to keep working hard. This could mean offering extra credit for additional work, or providing opportunities for students to showcase their work in front of their peers or the wider community.

Specific, actionable advice: It’s important to provide feedback that is specific and actionable, so that the student knows exactly what they need to do to improve their work. For example, instead of just saying “your design needs improvement,” provide specific suggestions for how they can improve their design.

Resources: Provide resources such as books, articles, videos, or websites that can help the student learn more about the skills or techniques they need to improve their work.

Supportive critique: Critique can be an important part of feedback, but it’s important to deliver it in a way that is supportive and constructive. This means focusing on what the student has done well, as well as providing specific suggestions for improvement.

Recognition of effort: It’s important to recognize the effort and hard work that the student has put into their project, even if the final product isn’t perfect. Acknowledging their effort can be a great way to encourage them to continue improving their work.

Opportunities for growth: Provide opportunities for the student to continue growing and developing their skills. This could mean offering extra credit for additional work, or providing suggestions for other creative projects they could pursue outside of class.

So let’s talk feedback!

When it comes to giving feedback on creative projects, here are some best practices for teachers to keep in mind:

Be specific: When giving feedback, be as specific as possible. Instead of saying “good job,” point out specific aspects of the project that you liked or that need improvement.

Focus on the process: When giving feedback, try to focus on the student’s thought process and the decisions they made throughout the project. This can help them understand how they arrived at their final product and identify areas where they can improve in the future.

Balance positive and negative feedback: While it’s important to point out areas where a student can improve, it’s also important to acknowledge what they did well. Be sure to balance your feedback so that it’s not overly critical or overly positive.

Provide actionable feedback: When giving feedback, provide actionable steps that the student can take to improve their work. This could be as simple as suggesting that they revise a certain section or consider a different approach.

Encourage self-reflection: Encourage students to reflect on their own work and identify areas where they feel they excelled or could improve. This can help them take ownership of their work and develop a better understanding of their own creative process.

Be supportive: Finally, be supportive and encouraging in your feedback. Creative projects can be very personal, and it’s important to create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things.

Encourage a growth mindset: Finally, encourage the student to adopt a growth mindset by emphasizing that their current project is just one step in a longer creative journey. Encourage them to see mistakes and setbacks as opportunities for growth and improvement.

When delivering feedback on creative projects, here are some techniques that can be helpful:

Use a constructive and positive tone: Deliver the feedback in a constructive and positive tone, focusing on what the student did well and offering specific suggestions for areas that need improvement.

Use “I” statements: Use “I” statements when delivering feedback to avoid making the student feel defensive. For example, instead of saying “You didn’t spend enough time on this project,” you could say “I noticed that there were some areas that could have used more attention.”

Listen to the student: Allow the student to respond to your feedback and ask questions. This can help them clarify any confusion they may have and demonstrate that you value their input.

Encourage self-reflection: Encourage the student to reflect on their own work and identify areas where they feel they excelled or could improve. This can help them take ownership of their work and develop a better understanding of their own creative process.

Is written feedback better than verbal?

Both written and verbal feedback have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best approach will depend on the situation and the student’s needs. Here are some factors to consider when deciding between written and verbal feedback:

Written feedback:

Allows students to revisit feedback and refer back to it when revising their work.

Provides a clear and concise record of the feedback given.

Can be more time-consuming for the teacher to provide.

May not allow for tone and nuance in the same way that verbal feedback can.

Verbal feedback:

Allows for immediate discussion and clarification.

Allows for tone and nuance in a way that written feedback may not.

Can be more efficient for the teacher to provide.

May not be remembered as well by the student as written feedback.

Overall, both written and verbal feedback can be effective tools for providing feedback on creative projects. It may be helpful to use a combination of both, depending on the situation and the student’s needs. For example, a teacher could provide written feedback on a first draft, and then follow up with a verbal discussion to clarify any confusion and provide additional guidance.

Here are some higher-level bits of advice that you could give to students who have created a pretty good project and are looking to make it even better:

Emphasize the importance of revision: Encourage students to revise their work and to continue refining their ideas. This can help them to identify areas where they could improve and to develop their skills further.

Encourage experimentation: Encourage students to experiment with different approaches and to be open to trying new things. This can help them to develop their creativity and to find new and interesting ways of approaching problems.

Stress the importance of research: Encourage students to conduct thorough research and to use it to inform their work. This can help them to create more informed and thoughtful projects, and to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Focus on communication: Encourage students to focus on communicating their ideas clearly and effectively. This can help them to ensure that their work is accessible to a wide audience and that their ideas are understood.

Foster collaboration: Encourage students to collaborate with others, whether that means working with classmates or seeking feedback from experts in the field. This can help them to develop new perspectives and to refine their ideas based on the input of others.

Challenge them to go beyond expectations: Encourage students to go beyond the expected requirements of the project and to challenge themselves to take their work to the next level. This can help them to develop their skills and to create work that is truly exceptional.

Here are some example sentences:

“Great job on this project! Now, let’s take some time to review your work and identify areas where you could make revisions to further refine your ideas and improve the final outcome.”

“You’ve done a fantastic job on this project, and I’d like to challenge you to experiment with different approaches to take it even further. Try some new techniques and approaches to see what works best for your project.”

“Your project is strong, but I think it could benefit from more research. Consider exploring additional sources to inform your work and to help you develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.”

“Your project communicates your ideas well, but let’s take some time to ensure that your message is as clear and accessible as possible. Consider ways to simplify and clarify your ideas for a wider audience.”

“Collaboration can be a powerful tool for improving your work. Consider reaching out to classmates or experts in the field for feedback and ideas that can help you to refine your project further.”

“Your project is already great, but I want to challenge you to go beyond the expected requirements and take it to the next level. Push yourself to explore new ideas and techniques that can take your work from good to exceptional.”

Here are some examples of feedback that focus on the design aspects of an art project:

“Your design choices in this project are really strong, but I think it could benefit from a little more variation. Consider experimenting with different color palettes, shapes, and textures to add visual interest and create more depth.”

“The composition of your project is well-balanced, but I think it could be even more dynamic. Try experimenting with different layouts and perspectives to create more movement and energy in your work.”

“I really love the concept behind your project, but I think the execution could be stronger. Consider refining your techniques and materials to create a more polished final product.”

“Your project has a really unique and interesting style, but I think it could benefit from more attention to detail. Take some time to fine-tune the details and create a more cohesive overall design.”

“Your use of negative space in this project is really effective, but I think it could be pushed even further. Consider exploring different ways to use negative space to create even more interesting and engaging designs.”

These examples focus specifically on the design elements of an art project and offer constructive feedback on how to improve the visual aspects of the work.

Here are some examples of feedback that focus on the construction engineering aspects of a project:

“The construction of your project is solid, but I think it could be even stronger with a few adjustments. Consider using additional supports or braces to make it more stable and durable.”

“The materials you used for your project are a great choice, but I think you could explore different ways to connect them to make the project more sturdy. Consider using different types of fasteners or adhesives to create a stronger bond.”

“The way you assembled your project is impressive, but I think you could improve its functionality with a few modifications. Think about how you could make it more user-friendly or interactive, perhaps by adding more moving parts or improving its ease of use.”

“I really like the way you’ve integrated different components into your project, but I think it could benefit from some more attention to detail. Consider how you can make the different parts fit together more smoothly and seamlessly to create a more polished final product.”

“Your project is very creative and unique, but I think you could improve its engineering by thinking more about its stability and balance. Consider how the weight of the different parts affects the overall structure and experiment with different ways to distribute the weight to create a more stable and functional project.”

Here are some examples of positive feedback on the build quality of a project:

“Your project is really well-built! You’ve clearly put a lot of effort into constructing it, and it shows. Great job!”

“The build quality of your project is really impressive. Your attention to detail is evident in every part of it.”

“Your project looks very sturdy and well-constructed. You’ve chosen great materials and assembled them with care and precision.”

“I can tell you put a lot of effort into the build quality of your project. Your hard work has paid off – it looks fantastic!”

“The construction of your project is very neat and tidy. Your attention to detail has resulted in a final product that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.”

These statements focus on the positive aspects of the build quality of a project, and they are intended to encourage and motivate the student to continue doing great work.

Here are some examples of critical feedback that focus on the build quality of a project:

“Your project has a lot of potential, but the build quality could use some improvement. The parts don’t seem to fit together as well as they could, and it’s not as sturdy as it could be.”

“It’s clear that you put a lot of effort into the construction of your project, but I noticed a few areas that could be improved. For example, some of the connections are a bit loose and could be tightened up.”

“I like the design of your project, but I think the build quality needs some work. Some of the parts are a bit flimsy and could use more support to make the overall structure stronger.”

“The concept behind your project is really interesting, but the build quality could use some refinement. Some of the components don’t fit together as well as they could, and it makes the final product look a bit sloppy.”

“I can see that you’ve put a lot of effort into the construction of your project, but I think the build quality could be improved by paying closer attention to the details. Some of the edges are rough and could use smoothing out, for example.”

These statements offer constructive criticism to help the student improve the build quality of their project. They are intended to be specific and actionable, so that the student knows exactly what areas they can work on to make their project better.

Here are some examples of critical feedback that focus on the design elements of a project:

“While I appreciate the creativity of your design, I think the overall aesthetic could be improved. Consider exploring different color palettes or experimenting with different textures to make it more visually appealing.”

“The design of your project has potential, but I think it needs more focus. Try to clarify the purpose of the project and make sure that all of the design elements contribute to that purpose.”

“Your design is unique, but I think it could be more functional. Consider the ergonomics and usability of the project, and think about how you could make it more user-friendly.”

“I like the concept behind your design, but I think it needs more refinement. Try to simplify the design and focus on the most important elements, so that the project doesn’t look cluttered.”

“While I can see that you put a lot of effort into the design of your project, I think it could use some more attention to detail. Try to think about the composition of the project and how the different design elements work together to create a cohesive whole.”

These statements offer constructive criticism on the design elements of the project, with specific suggestions for improvement. The goal is to help the student think critically about the design of their project and make it more effective and visually appealing.

Here are some examples of statements you could make to your students:

“It is my intention to be your biggest supporter and help you push yourself to do great work” 

 “My intention is to help you, so if I ever make a mistake and hurt your feelings, please let me know, and understand that I am trying to help you grow”

“I’m here to support you and help you reach your full potential. If there’s anything I can do to help you succeed, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“My goal is to help you become the best version of yourself. That means pushing you to do your best work and providing constructive feedback that will help you grow.”

“I want you to know that my feedback is always given with the best of intentions. If there’s ever a time when my feedback comes across as critical, please understand that it’s only because I believe in your abilities and want to see you succeed.”

“I know that creative projects can be challenging, but I’m here to help you every step of the way. My goal is to help you develop your skills and reach your full potential as a creator.”

“It’s important to me that you feel supported and encouraged in your creative pursuits. My intention is always to provide feedback that helps you grow and develop, and if there’s ever a time when I fall short of that goal, I want you to feel comfortable bringing it to my attention.”

“I want you to know that I care deeply about your success, even though I may not always have as much time to spend with you as I would like. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help or clarification if you need it.”

“While I may not be able to spend as much one-on-one time with each of you as I would like, I want you to know that I am still here to support you in any way I can. Please reach out to me if you need help with your project or if you just need someone to talk to.”

“I know that I have a lot of students to attend to, but I am still committed to helping each and every one of you succeed. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help or feedback, even if it’s just a quick question or a clarification.”

“I understand that it can be frustrating when I can’t give you as much individual attention as I would like, but please know that I am always available to help you in any way I can. Whether it’s answering a question or providing feedback on your work, I am here to support you.”

“I want you to know that I am doing my best to help each of you succeed, even though I may not always have as much time as I would like. Please don’t hesitate to come to me with any questions or concerns, and I will do my best to support you in your creative endeavors.”

Clearly, I had some help generating all of this. Still useful to start getting into my head!