Recursive feedback on formative assessment

Recursive feedback is explained by Cope and Kalantzis as a continuous feedback that the students receive the feedback for the purpose of improving their work. In the process students do not just receive a mark or grade but they go through a learning process and continuously work on their task and improve it.

Why is it important to provide recursive feedback?

It is important for learning and also because students can learn more from their feedback and improve their work.

Feedback is important for the purpose of learning. In this article https://aaalab.stanford.edu/assets/papers/2013/Learning_by_teaching_human_pupils.pdf Okita and Schwartz explain the different types of feedback and their effectiveness.

Below is an example showing the difference between direct feedback and recursive feedback. This is illustrated in the article above as well:

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Formative assessment is a continuous assessment that helps establish the strengths and weaknesses of the students. The goal of formative assessment is to collect information that can help students to improve themselves on the subject matter.

https://www.edglossary.org/formative-assessment/

An example of a recursive feedback on formative assessment that I have used in my classes was when I gave my students an essay to work on. This is how the process unfolds:

Step 1: Topic analysis

In the first class, students sit in groups in order to analyse the topic. At the end of the lesson students complete an online quiz based on the subject of topic analysis. The purpose of the quiz is to ensure that the students have all the information they need in order to understand the driving question of the task.

Step 2: Searching for sources

In the second class students learn how to search for relevant sources and after the lesson they do an online test based on searching for sources.

Step 3: Presentation of sources

Students choose one source form their list to present in class guided by the following questions:

(i) When did you find the source?

(ii) Why do you believe it is a credible source?

(iii) What are the main ideas discussed in the source?

(iv) What makes it a useful source?

(v) What is the referencing entry for the source?

The students will receive feedback for their fellow students and from me.

Step 5: Basic form of an introduction

Students learn about the basic form of an introduction and submit their drafts.

Step 5: Paragraph Structure

Students learn about the structure of a paragraph and how to incorporate information from the sources. In the process, they also learn about paraphrasing. They write a draft of the body of the essay and submit and receive feedback to improve.

Step 6: Basic Conclusion

Students learn about the basic form of a conclusion and submit a draft.