In the second session of TeachECONference 2024, the focus was on optimizing feedback to engage students—a crucial component of effective teaching. This session brought together researchers who shared their innovative approaches to feedback, aiming to enhance student engagement and performance.  

The Impact of Performance Feedback on Students’ Study Habits and Grades 

Margaret Leighton and Lavinia Kinne presented a comprehensive study on the impact of performance feedback on students’ study habits and grades. They explored how different types of feedback—generic, friendly, and individualized—affect student engagement. Their findings revealed that generic friendly feedback, while intended to be supportive, often reduced student engagement during revision periods. In contrast, individualized feedback, although it did not significantly impact final grades, showed positive signs of increasing student motivation and involvement in their studies. Margaret highlighted the importance of making feedback resonate with students, stating, “It’s not just about the grades; it’s about creating a feedback loop that truly resonates with students and encourages them to engage more deeply with their studies.” 

Inclusivity in Classrooms Using Mentimeter 

Arpita Ghosh discussed her research on using Mentimeter, an interactive presentation tool, to enhance inclusivity in classrooms. Her study examined how timed and untimed multiple-choice questions (MCQs) impacted student performance and engagement. Arpita found no significant differences in performance between timed and untimed quizzes, though female students performed slightly better on untimed quizzes, suggesting that timing flexibility may benefit certain groups. “Inclusivity isn’t just a goal; it’s a practice. Tools like Mentimeter allow us to reach every student, ensuring their voice is heard, regardless of their comfort level in speaking up,” she stressed the importance of using technology to create an inclusive environment where all students feel empowered to participate. 

Cross-Course Assessments to Align Curriculum 

Courtney Ward shared her approach to using cross-course assessments to align curriculum and ensure students retain prerequisite skills. She developed a “bridging quiz” to assess students’ understanding of key concepts from prerequisite courses and their application in more advanced courses. This quiz served as a low-touch intervention, helping students identify and address skill gaps early in the term. Her findings indicated that students often struggled with applying prerequisite skills to new contexts, particularly in case studies. Courtney emphasized the need for ongoing assessment to ensure that students are not only retaining information but are also able to apply it effectively in more complex scenarios. 

Reducing Student Procrastination on Dissertation Projects 

Jana Sadeh and Panagiotis Giannarakis from University of Southampton tackled the issue of student procrastination, particularly on dissertation projects. They introduced a task list and weekly nudges as a strategy to help students manage their workload and reduce anxiety. Their research showed that students who engaged with the task list performed better and submitted their dissertations earlier than those who did not. They also found that risk-averse students were more likely to benefit from the nudging strategy, as it provided them with a structured approach to tackling their projects. Sometimes, all it takes is a gentle nudge to turn procrastination into productivity. Their task list approach provides structure without overwhelming students, making big projects feel more manageable. 

Key Takeaways 

• Feedback Framing Matters: How feedback is framed can significantly impact student engagement, though its effect on final grades may be limited. 

• Inclusivity Tools: Tools like Mentimeter can enhance inclusivity, though their impact on performance varies. 

• Cross-Course Assessments: Aligning curriculum through assessments can help students retain and apply prerequisite skills effectively. 

• Procrastination Interventions: Task lists and nudges are effective tools for reducing procrastination and improving performance. 

This blog was produced with the help of Microsoft Copilot.