How can digital feedback strategies foster a growth mindset in students?

1 What is growth mindset feedback?

Growth mindset feedback is feedback that focuses on the process and effort of learning, rather than the outcome or ability. It emphasizes the potential for improvement, the value of mistakes and challenges, and the importance of seeking feedback and learning from others. Growth mindset feedback also avoids praise or criticism that labels students as smart or dumb, talented or untalented, or successful or unsuccessful. Instead, it acknowledges the specific actions, strategies, or behaviors that students used to achieve their goals, and provides constructive suggestions for further improvement.

2 How to give growth mindset feedback digitally?

Giving growth mindset feedback digitally can be challenging, as it requires careful communication and consideration of the tone, timing, and frequency of the feedback. To do this effectively, you should use a variety of feedback modes such as audio, video, text, or interactive tools to suit different preferences and contexts. Additionally, use specific and descriptive language to highlight the aspects of the work done well or needing improvement. Furthermore, align your feedback with the learning objectives and criteria while balancing positive and negative feedback. Lastly, encourage self-assessment and peer feedback to help students develop their metacognitive and critical thinking skills.

3 How to receive growth mindset feedback digitally?

Receiving growth mindset feedback digitally can be challenging, but it's a valuable source of information and support. To make the most of it, actively and regularly seek feedback that can help you reach your learning goals. Ask for clarification or examples if you don't understand the feedback or how to apply it. Compare your work with the learning objectives and criteria to identify strengths and weaknesses, then use the feedback to plan your next steps and actions. Additionally, learn from the feedback of others and observe how they respond to feedback and improve their work. Sharing your own feedback and experiences with others can give you valuable insights as well. Finally, celebrate your achievements and efforts, and recognize your growth and development. Don't let feedback discourage you, but use it as motivation to keep learning and growing.

4 How to create a feedback culture in digital learning?

Creating a feedback culture in digital learning is not only about giving and receiving growth mindset feedback, but also about creating a learning environment that values and supports feedback as a key component of learning. To do this, it is important to establish clear and shared expectations and norms for feedback, model and demonstrate growth mindset feedback, provide timely and frequent feedback, encourage and facilitate feedback dialogue, and solicit and act on feedback. Doing so can help to explain the purpose, process, and benefits of feedback to students and other stakeholders. Additionally, it can show how feedback can foster a growth mindset and enhance learning outcomes. Furthermore, it can enable students to have enough time and opportunities to act on the feedback and apply it to their work. Finally, it can create a safe and respectful space for students to exchange feedback and ideas with you and with each other. Various online tools can be used to facilitate this dialogue, such as discussion forums, blogs, wikis or chats. In the end, showing that you value and appreciate the feedback that you receive from the students will demonstrate that you are taking their input seriously.

5 How to measure the impact of growth mindset feedback in digital learning?

Measuring the impact of growth mindset feedback in digital learning can help you understand how feedback influences students' learning behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes, as well as how you can improve your feedback practice and design. To measure the impact of growth mindset feedback in digital learning, you should use quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources and methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, portfolios, or analytics. These data can measure various indicators of feedback impact such as feedback quality, satisfaction, utilization, perception, attitude, self-efficacy, literacy, culture or outcomes. Additionally, it is important to use formative and summative evaluation to evaluate the impact of feedback at different points and levels of the learning process. Finally, you should use feedback loops to inform and enhance your feedback practice and design. This will enable you to communicate the feedback impact with students and other stakeholders as well as to solicit their feedback on the feedback.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?