Hearing each other - how can we give feedback that students really value

In 2008 RMIT University had a focus on student feedback. One project called 'Hearing each other' looked at identifying feedback that students find useful and meaningful. Students from a range of programs including engineering and year levels were questioned. Focus groups were held where students were asked a series of questions about kinds of feedback they had received and what they found useful or less useful. The results were analysed for similarities and differences between year levels and between programs. The results showed students valued the same kinds of feedback irrespective of age or discipline, especially use of marking sheets to promote consistent clear marking. Students disliked 'tut lotto', where their marks would depend more on who was marking than what was written. Highly rated staff identified more time on feedback on non-assessed work as good. More work is planned to identify tips for good feedback from the best lecturers.