Written feedback on submitted assignments is one of the primary means by which faculty communicate with students. The feedback provided to students can have a significant influence on their academic progress. Effective feedback contributes to a constructive working relationship with students and can bolster their motivation, confidence, and aptitude for enhancing their performance. However, feedback that is overly critical or negative can trigger defensiveness, hinder progress, and lead to poor academic outcomes.
I noticed my students respondent well to feedback that focuses on the positive aspects of their answers before addressing the parts that need improvement when the language is positive. Recognizing that leaning is not just a cognitive process but also a social and cultural process (Nasir et al., 2005), which cannot be separated from our emotions, can help us improve the learning environment of our students.