In the 2016-2017 teaching year, I have been experimenting with providing students with useful real-time feedback with some new technical tools. I am happy to report some success with this initiative!
To provide some background, one of my professional goals involves experimenting with various evaluation methods each designed to provide students with instantaneous and meaningful in-the-moment assessments. I am also participating in The Business School’s Microsoft Surface Pro Faculty Deployment Study lead by Associate Dean Peter Madott. With the Surface Pro, I am working to use technology to enhance the learning experience for my students in our classroom. I have combined both these areas of interest in a simple and innovative way with proven results. These efforts have been well received across different program types, underlining the adaptability and effectiveness.
How does it work? Before their presentations, students submit their electronic PowerPoint files and I have these files ready on the Surface Pro. While students are presenting I can follow along slide-by-slide and use the Surface Pen to write feedback notes directly on their e-file. After the presentation, the written feedback is saved as a PDF and can be returned to the students with their grading rubric immediately. The transparency of my approach, the timing, and the technical delivery work in combination to benefit my students.
The important part, what did my students have to say?
Re: Feedback. 1)Timing: Excellent – I think the timing is perfect as we received your feedback very soon after our presentation. 2)Feedback format (electronic format) and how I benefit from it: I like it and I think it’s a great idea. I can save the feedback in my laptop for future reference so that I can remind myself where and what I can improve on in my presentation skills. And plus, it protects our environment.
– Fashion Management and Promotions Postgraduate Student
Thought I’d give you some feedback! I really liked how you evaluated us last semester, both in terms of the technical execution of the feedback (writing actually on the project file), as well as the timing of the feedback. It was very prompt and detailed, and you ensured that any marks deducted were explained thoroughly so that there was no confusion. Also, having written on the project file in real-time, it almost felt as though everything was justified in terms of your marking, as you were noting certain points as they were happening during the presentation (if that makes sense). Sometimes, I can find it hard to accept a lower-than-expected grade when a teacher is simply grading based on memory of a presentation, rather than jotting specific points down on each slide during the presentation – so I found this to be extremely useful (also for pointing out exactly where we went right and where we went wrong).
– Fashion Management and Promotions Certificate Postgraduate Student
To be honest, the way you quickly provided feedback last semester worked perfectly. I also appreciated the notes that were made on submitted presentations too! It’s nice to get immediate response to ease nerves after a presentation!!
-Fashion Arts and Business Diploma Student
I found that providing you with an electronic copy was super fast and effective. I enjoyed being able to get my mark right after my presentation. It gave less stress to having to print out a physical copy. Being able to receive the feedback so quickly helps you understand what you can improve on for another project in not only your course but others! The notes given were also very helpful. Overall I found the technical [aspects] and timing of the feedback spot on!
-Fashion Arts and Business Diploma Student
I really enjoyed how you marked our assignments last semester. I like that we can get our marks instantly and any comments on our project electronically, rather than waiting a few weeks for our marks and soon forgetting what we can improve on in the future.
-Fashion Arts and Business Diploma Student
Some feedback for you! I really enjoyed your electronic feedback as it was quick and efficient and thus we could really see where you thought the group went wrong or right in the presentation! I would say keep doing that!
– Fashion Management and Promotions Postgraduate Student
According to me it was really good getting instant marks and reviews from you. I hope you follow the same in the coming assignments.
-Fashion Arts and Business Diploma Student
I’d rather get feedback right after our presentations. I feel like I’m better able to track my errors closer to the presentation when I’ve presented.
-Fashion Arts and Business Diploma Student
I really enjoyed the quick feedback after the presentations you did last year. It was very helpful to know where my marks are standing. I got the chance to improve and work harder than I thought I was doing in class in terms of marks.
-Fashion Arts and Business Diploma Student
Image Credit: PPT excerpt from presentation by Nicole Bautista, Kate Mendonca, Jasleen Batth, Nimisha Khanna, and Kimberley Titco. A full look at this project can be found in Promotion Plan for Canadian Fashion Brand – Saje