USING FEEDBACK:

If the feedback is good we tend to feel embarrassed, especially if verbal, whilst if it is negative we feel hurt and then take on a defensive, even an aggressive posture – even if this is only in body language.  These are perfectly natural feelings, but if you are going to improve and learn you must make the most of your feedback. This may vary depending upon the type of feedback but you may consider the following:

Verbal Feedback

If the feedback is positive, don't just 'blush', but thank the person and ask 'and how could I improve it further still'?

If the feedback is negative, then try to be coldly analytical about the work.  By all means defend your arguments but don't get aggressive.  Try to reflect on the following:

• Is the problem with all the work or just part of it?
  
  
• What are the good points of the work?
  
  
• What can I do in the short-term to improve?
  
  
• What else can I do in the long term to improve even more?

And don't forget to write down verbal feedback – don't rely on memory alone.

Written Feedback

Lecturers may have to mark many pieces of coursework and sometimes their feedback is a little brief.  Don't just look at the mark, make the most of what else there is – ask the lecturer if you are not sure, but also look for key phrases, which might indicate where you need to improve.

Click here for key phrases.