The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responses

In-person, one-to-one verbal feedback has long been prioritised in learning development. However, there are instances where written feedback proves to be a more convenient option. This study investigated the reasons why students request, and how they perceive, the written feedback they receive from...

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Main Author: Eva Shackel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE) 2023-04-01
Series:Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.aldinhe.ac.uk/index.php/jldhe/article/view/999
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author Eva Shackel
author_facet Eva Shackel
author_sort Eva Shackel
collection DOAJ
description In-person, one-to-one verbal feedback has long been prioritised in learning development. However, there are instances where written feedback proves to be a more convenient option. This study investigated the reasons why students request, and how they perceive, the written feedback they receive from a writing centre at a university in the UK. To gather insights, 249 students who had received written feedback during the academic year 2020-21 were invited to complete a questionnaire. 54 students responded, representing a response rate of 21.6%. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 students. It was found that most students requested written feedback due to convenience, although some, particularly those with dyslexia, preferred written feedback over in-person feedback as it allows them to reflect on, and process, the information in their own time. The detailed nature of the written feedback increases the students’ perception that the university cares about them, which makes them feel valued and important. Although the findings relate to written feedback, they are relevant for in-person feedback by emphasising how important it is to allow students with dyslexia the time they need to write, listen and speak, during writing centre appointments. 
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spelling doaj.art-b772aa31f72a421291cb9ef2ab664bf52023-05-01T01:19:01ZengAssociation for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE)Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education1759-667X2023-04-012710.47408/jldhe.vi27.999The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responsesEva Shackel0Bath Spa UniversityIn-person, one-to-one verbal feedback has long been prioritised in learning development. However, there are instances where written feedback proves to be a more convenient option. This study investigated the reasons why students request, and how they perceive, the written feedback they receive from a writing centre at a university in the UK. To gather insights, 249 students who had received written feedback during the academic year 2020-21 were invited to complete a questionnaire. 54 students responded, representing a response rate of 21.6%. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 students. It was found that most students requested written feedback due to convenience, although some, particularly those with dyslexia, preferred written feedback over in-person feedback as it allows them to reflect on, and process, the information in their own time. The detailed nature of the written feedback increases the students’ perception that the university cares about them, which makes them feel valued and important. Although the findings relate to written feedback, they are relevant for in-person feedback by emphasising how important it is to allow students with dyslexia the time they need to write, listen and speak, during writing centre appointments.  http://journal.aldinhe.ac.uk/index.php/jldhe/article/view/999written feedbackdyslexialearning developmentfeedback
spellingShingle Eva Shackel
The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responses
Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education
written feedback
dyslexia
learning development
feedback
title The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responses
title_full The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responses
title_fullStr The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responses
title_full_unstemmed The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responses
title_short The highs and lows of written feedback: student evaluation of writing centre written responses
title_sort highs and lows of written feedback student evaluation of writing centre written responses
topic written feedback
dyslexia
learning development
feedback
url http://journal.aldinhe.ac.uk/index.php/jldhe/article/view/999
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AT evashackel highsandlowsofwrittenfeedbackstudentevaluationofwritingcentrewrittenresponses