How Feedback Works by John T. Almarode, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey is a must-read for teachers, educators, instructional coaches, school administrators, and professional learning communities (PLCs) seeking to enhance their teaching skills and techniques. This insightful book delves into the importance of feedback in the learning process, providing practical strategies and evidence-based approaches.
The book is divided into 16 modules, making it ideal for self-study or for use in PLCs. It covers a range of essential topics, including defining feedback and understanding the most useful types of feedback. The authors emphasize the importance of aligning feedback with transparent criteria and provide guidance on how to gather evidence effectively.
The authors introduce the 4 C's of Feedback: care, credibility, clarity, and clear communication. These principles ensure that feedback is delivered in a way that is supportive, meaningful, and actionable. Additionally, the book explores various methods for gathering evidence, including verbal, written, and kinesthetic responses, peer collaboration, checks-for-understanding, and the integration of technology.
Whether you are looking to improve your own teaching practice or foster a culture of effective feedback within your educational community, How Feedback Works offers valuable insights and practical strategies. It is a comprehensive resource that will empower educators to provide clear and dynamic feedback, ultimately enhancing student learning and growth.
Industry Reviews
Feedback is complicated, complex, and layered. How Feedback Works made it feel possible and easy! As someone who is familiar with formative assessment practices, which include feedback and peer feedback, I saw the through line immediately. Each module addresses a different type of feedback but also adds a deeper understanding of feedback as new ideas are discussed in various ways. This book added to my own knowledge and pushed me to think a little differently. -- Jeni Mcintyre * Director of Data-Driven Instruction, Tulsa Public Schools *
The contents of this book are accurate, coherent, consistent in theme, and backed up with references and plausible examples. This playbook provides appropriate and relevant guidance for teachers, including learning outcomes and information on misconceptions. It is relevant for all levels of learners in this field-from the lead to the highly accomplished to the proficient and provisional educators. -- Leanne Hebden * Quality Teaching Coach, Literacy, Instructional Leader, Department of Education, Tasmania, Kingston Primary School *
Feedback is the missing link. As educators, we know the important role that feedback plays not just for our students, but for our teaching as well. And yet if we do not understand what that feedback looks like and sounds like, we can never truly know the depth of our impact. How Feedback Works gives the teacher the tools they need to know exactly when to use feedback and the kind of feedback that should be given. -- Barbara Lane * San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools" *
Feedback is one of education's most powerful assets in moving learning forward, yet it's often the most misunderstood. How Feedback Works ties in pedagogical principles with cognitive science and educational psychology to explain not only how to give effective feedback, but also how to create the structures and conditions necessary for feedback to maximize its potential on student learning. Through explanation, models, and guided practice, this playbook capitalizes on the research to help educators better understand and implement feedback that moves students to and through their next levels of learning. As an educator who coaches teachers, prekindergarten through twelfth grade, I'm excited to have this gem in my back pocket as a relevant reference to share with my colleagues and for developing my own knowledge and skill set around all things feedback. -- Kierstan Barbee * Director of Assessment for Learning *
