Providing Descriptive Feedback with Digital Tools

"We can learn without grades, we can't learn without descriptive feedback."
-Rick Wormeli

Giving effective, descriptive feedback can be time consuming for teachers but is well worth the effort. For more information about the "why,"  check out the following article: Why Giving Effective Feedback is Trickier Than It Seems

I have always believed that digital tools are worthwhile if they can make you more effective and/or efficient.  Check out some ways that teachers use tools to provide feedback:

GSuite Apps (e.g. Google Docs, Slides)

• Google Docs Comments: Allows commenting and replies along with assigning tasks.  To make the process faster, some teachers prefer using keyboard shortcuts.
• Google Read and Write:  While our district purchased the premium version for staff and students (premium is free for all educators), a couple of the tools on this toolbar can be quite helpful when providing feedback:
• Voice comments
• Highlight Tool
• CheckMarkClass: Chrome extension that allows you to create a toolbar to quickly add comments to a google file.  Teachers have the ability to customize the list with comments they would most frequently use. 

Canvas

• Speedgrader: When students submit assignments (could be a link to a google file, text entry, file etc..), this tool allows the teacher to quickly flip through the student submissions and provide feedback in multiple ways.
• Rubrics in Speedgrader:  Attach a rubric to an assignment to provide feedback to students.  Tip: common rubrics can be added in Canvas at the department or school level to save time creating a rubric by each individual teacher.

For more ideas on how to use digital tools to provide feedback, reach out to the digital leaders or tech coaches in your building.

Submitted by Joanie Rueth, Teaching and Learning Coach/Technology Coach at Brookfield Central and Brookfield East.