Empowering Student Writers: Harnessing the Power of Formative Feedback for Academic Success

It's only Formative......

“I’ve got to hand this in tomorrow but it’s only formative” is something teachers often overhear students saying, and it’s painful for teachers to hear. This isn’t because we have to spend the same amount of time (if not longer!) on a rushed piece of work as a carefully-written one, but because we know it means the students won’t get a good mark in the final summative version. 

But a formative “mark” doesn’t count towards my final grade!

Formative work shouldn’t really need a mark, whether this is a number out of 10, or a grade from A to E, it’s not that important for a formative task. However, many school systems, students, and parents are used to seeing your marks and are more comfortable knowing what mark you “would have got”.

Formative work, however, should concentrate on the advice given: i.e. what you can do to improve the piece of work. 

Often, formative feedback is not only useful for that one piece of work, but it can help you to become a better writer overall. Importantly, formative feedback can help you to continue to improve your marks in the future!

Why do teachers bother to go through a piece of writing twice?

There are 7 main, great reasons why teachers take the time to provide formative feedback to their students, as shown by academic research. 

Formative feedback helps you to:

1. Understand what good performance is (goals, criteria, standards)

2. Understand exactly what you need to do to get the top marks in the final (summative) version

3. Anticipate problems that you might face in the summative version and future assignments

4. Develop the skills of Reflection and Self-assessment 

5. Talk about how you learn with your friends and teachers

6. Be more confident about your writing  (especially when you see your marks improving!)

6. Have the time to act on the feedback that you receive

7. Ask the teacher for support in specific areas, which helps to shape their Teaching 

These reasons not only help you to get better marks for the piece of work you are currently working on, but also in all your future assignments!

How can I use my teacher’s formative comments?

First, make sure that you read all formative comments carefully. Although it is tempting to just look at the formative “mark” if there is one, take the time to read through your teacher's comments thoroughly and try to see why they made each comment. If possible, talk through the comments with a Critical Friend. Most of all, make sure you understand the feedback and ask your teacher if you have any questions or if anything is unclear.

After you have absorbed your teacher’s comments, try to incorporate the following steps into how you receive feedback. After a while they will become natural and you won’t even have to think about them, you’ll just see your grades improving over the year!

1. Identify areas of improvement: Look for patterns  and common themes in your teacher's comments to identify the areas where you need to improve most. Focus on addressing these areas in your future assignments.

2. Reflect on your learning: Use your teacher's comments to reflect on your learning. Think about what you did well and what you could have done better. Consider how you can apply these insights to your future work.

3. Make a plan of action: Based on your teacher's comments, make a plan of action to improve the work for the summative version. Identify specific steps you can take to address areas where you need to improve.

4. Seek additional support: If you are struggling with a particular concept or topic, don't hesitate to ask for more help. Talk to your teacher, attend study groups, or work with an ABEL Consultant to help you understand the feedback.

Although the kind of deal that pays off in the future can be hard for students (and teachers, and people in general!) to see and take advantage of. However, the harder you try and the more you do for your formative submission, the better your overall mark will be AND the easier your job will be to convert that formative piece of writing into the final product.

Try to remember that your teachers often know what you’re going through as they have been through school themselves, and many are still studying! There are many teacher-training courses and higher-education qualifications that teachers continue to work towards — even as they are planning and marking your schoolwork! 

This means that teachers often experience formative feedback themselves, and are keenly aware of its benefits. As a life-long student myself, I have often come to work on a summative submission and I can’t even remember the work I did on the formative part, but I’m so glad that I did! Especially, when I have a good base to build on for the final stage.

So remember, the more you do now, the easier your life (and your teacher’s!) will be in the future!!

New blog pages that offer unrivalled free-to-use content are being added each week, so make sure you join our mailing list or follow us on social media (facebook and instagram) to keep up-to-date with new developments on the ABEL site.

If you are interested in personalised, individual attention — and you want specialised help related to your work or studies — click here to find your perfect consultant. 

Alternatively, if you have specific questions about the company or you have a specific request, please contact us here, or at: info@abel-consultants.com or on 0034 673395438.