Giving and receiving feedback, how to do it?

Now that traditional knowledge tests at Fontys are increasingly being traded for portfolios and (proving) learning outcomes, feedback is becoming more important for students. Testing expert Fieke Tychon also sees this. For students it means: continuously adjusting and continuing to learn. This requires good feedback. Feedback gives you insight on your behavior and helps you to become even better at what you do. I also like to learn every day.'

Pitty Herrmann, co-developer of the Fontys Feedback App, recognizes this: 'At Fontys, we work together on an increasingly large scale. In the busyness of everyday life, it is important to regularly pause and reflect on certain choices and to learn from them (with each other). A feedback session is an excellent tool for that.'

Their tips for giving and receiving feedback? You can read them here:

1. When asking for feedback: make sure you have a clear question
"If you only ask if you did something correctly, you will get "yes" or "no" as an answer," says Fieke Tychon, co-developer of the feedback guides (also in English). So her tip is to ask a more open and clear feedback question. You do that by framing your feedback question more. Tell what you have already done, how you got there and what you specifically want feedback on. That way you make it a lot easier for the feedback giver and you will get tips that are really useful.

2. Ask or give feedback on the process or behavior, not on the person
You can get feedback about your completed tasks, the process or about you, as a person. Be careful with the latter, warns Pitty Herrmann, co-developer of the Fontys Role Feedback-app. 'Not much can be changed about someone's character and, moreover, this kind of feedback can come across as an attack. Therefore, it is the least effective.' Feedback on process or self-regulation, on the other hand, can be helpful. 'For example, ask how your behavior is in a specific situation or role. It is then up to the feedback giver to avoid judgments and name what he has observed.'

3. Choose the right time for feedback
This sounds simple, but it is not always so in practice. 'Suppose a student gets feedback after hearing whether he passed the course. Then that feedback ends up in the "feedback graveyard," Fieke explains. 'For that student it is much better to ask for feedback about the process. That will help him in the future. More tips: don't ask for feedback too often (that way you give yourself space to learn), but also make sure it doesn't stop at one conversation.

4. Practice! Giving feedback is a skill
According to Fieke, giving feedback is a skill. That is why we give tips for teachers, students and the work field in our feedback guides. But don't stop at reading the manual: practice too. Then you will get better and better at it.'

5. Don't take all feedback blindly
The best response is to see if you can detect a pattern in the feedback you receive. It's smart to ask for feedback from several people (that you trust). And ask further so you don't make assumptions.

Read more

Previous Next

• 21 november
• Wendbaar

'Fontys roles' help with your personal development

To help its professionals develop more broadly and offer more career prospects, Fontys designed eight Fontys roles. What is their importance for the organisation and how can you use them for your own growth?

Read more