Innovation in Language Learning

Feedback is an essential part of developing effective writing skills as it provides students clear guidance on how to improve their work. According to the Education Endowment Foundation, feedback is the most effective teaching practice, equivalent to eight additional months of class time per year. Powerful feedback can improve a student’s confidence, self-awareness and enthusiasm for writing. However, if feedback is not timely, appropriate, personalised, empowering, actionable and delivered adequately using the right tools, it may fail to serve its purpose and potentially have a negative effect on the learner.

Often, teachers are searching for methods to enhance their feedback so students can benefit from its value. Technology, if used effectively, can enhance the quality and impact of feedback. In addition, using technology can aid in the development of students’ capacity to engage with and learn from their feedback. From a teacher’s perspective, they can save time and provide more  personalised feedback by using voice instead of text, for example.

In this presentation, which has a practical focus, I will address this challenge by exploring different methods teachers can provide feedback on written work using digital technology. I will demonstrate a variety of free tools that teachers can use in their writing courses.

At the end of the session participants will have new practical ideas to provide effective feedback and a repertoire of technological tools that they can start using in their classrooms.