The final two elements in Section C underscore the importance of formative feedback and self-assessment. Many students excel when given opportunities to learn from their mistakes.

C7: Feedback
C8: Self-Assessment
Resources

C7: Feedback

ALIGNED: The course includes a clear description of how meaningful, timely feedback on assessments will be provided.
EXEMPLARY: Students are given clear instructions on accessing feedback in the CMS and guidance on applying feedback to improve learning and performance.

Frequent, low-stakes assessments with formative feedback help students gauge their learning and adjust their studying to support their goals. Instructors might provide feedback regularly, but is this explicitly explained to students? What if (oh, horrors!) students MISS our feedback? Also, if the feedback is not timely, students may receive it after they have moved on to the next project or figured out their errors on their own.

C7 is not about whether you give feedback (we're confident you do); instead, it's focused on making sure there is an explanation for students of when, where and how they will receive your feedback so that they can be prepared to make the most of it. Aligned courses provide a clear plan, articulated to the student, that explains how timely, meaningful feedback will be provided. Exemplary courses add to this plan by explaining how to access this feedback in the course and how students should use feedback to guide improvements.

Below are a few examples of how your feedback plan can be explained in an assignment.

Example 1: Project section called "Grading & Feedback"

I will use the rubric below to provide feedback on your project. I recommend that you review it regularly to evaluate your progress as you work on this assignment. Within a week of your essay's submission, a grade, completed rubric, and video feedback will be posted in Canvas. You can access it through the emailed notification or Grades. After watching the video I have made for you, please feel free to respond in the Comment area if you'd like to discuss my feedback.

Example 2: Research paper section called "Assignment Grade and Feedback"

- You can expect to get your assignment grade and feedback within one week following the due date. If it will take longer, I will notify the class.
- To view grading comments, click on "Grades" in the course navigation menu, and click on comment icon. For more ways to see comments see the Canvas guides, How to see assignment comments.
- Questions about your grade or about my feedback should be directed to me via the Canvas Inbox.

C8: Self-Assessment

ALIGNED: Several opportunities for student self-assessment with feedback are present.
EXEMPLARY: There are regular opportunities throughout the course for student self-assessment that encourage students to seek timely additional help.

The final stop in Section C is self-assessment. Why, you ask? Simply put, students learn more when they are asked to reflect on their performance and make plans for improvement. This is especially helpful when they receive feedback and guidance on their self-assessment. Instructors can use strategic opportunities for self-assessment to boost students' metacognition, and they can provide expert feedback to help students improve.

Students don't always know when they're off-track, so just offering them reflection activities or asking them to get in touch if they have questions wouldn't achieve alignment for this element. Instead, you need to help focus their attention on areas where they need additional work. If you're offering practice quizzes, for example, you can include targeted feedback for incorrect responses. Likewise, you can use SpeedGrader to leave feedback on reflection activities submitted as Canvas assignments.

Self-assessment options might include written reflection after a major assignment, muddiest point activities, "exit ticket" reflections at the end of a module, and practice quizzes. Exemplary courses routinely provide this level of self-assessment, incorporating encouragement and suggestions to help students improve.

Video Walkthrough

This 3-minute video showcases several types of self-assessment activities, all provided by SWC faculty!

Resources

CVC's Course Design Resources for C7-C8:

Byte-sized Canvas: It's Time to Rethink Feedback video demos feedback tools in Canvas

🚀 Sample Self-Assessments:

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