## [Giving constructive feedback on assignments](/supporting-distance-learners/giving-constructive-feedback-assignments)
Feedback is probably the most crucial way in which you can support your learners through their learning process. The way in which you provide feedback can have a dramatic influence on your learners’ confidence in the subject, and their motivation to continue persevering, especially if they are struggling.
By following a few simple guidelines, you can give your learners the kind of feedback that boosts their confidence and helps them to overcome even the toughest of challenges. Constructive feedback is:
- Prompt, research shows that if learners receive feedback within 14 days of submitting an assignment, they are more likely to act on it than if they are made to wait longer.
- Specific, giving the learner a clear indication of where the strengths and weaknesses lie.
- Thoughtful, indicating that the tutor has put time and effort into trying to understand what the learner is saying.
- Related to the learning outcomes, and includes an explanation of how the grade/ mark was arrived at.
- Also related to the learner’s assignment-writing skills, and gives advice on study skills where appropriate.
- Related to the course material, so that learners know where to look for further information if required.
- Focused on the most important improvements needed, rather than overwhelming learners with details about minor improvements that could be made.
- Written in plain, jargon-free language that learners will understand with ease.
- Fair.
- Honest – both in terms of its praise and its criticism.
- Supportive and encouraging – focusing on the work, not the learner.
- Personal, referring to the learner by name.
## Reflection
The following examples of tutor feedback on a student’s assignment are taken from Mitra, S. 2008. [Manual for the Tutors of Learning Centres in Open Schools](https://www.col.org/resources/publications/trainingresources/Pages/tutorManual.aspx). Pp. 65-6. Commonwealth of Learning. (Creative Commons attribution license.) Have a look at the two tutors’ feedback in relation to the above guidelines for giving constructive feedback to learners. Which one fulfils most of the criteria above?
**Feedback by tutor1**
Mitra (2008) p.65
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**Feedback by tutor 2**
Mitra (2008) p.66
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## Additional resources
Mitra, S. 2008. Manual for the Tutors of Learning Centres in Open Schools. Commonwealth of Learning. Retrieved April 24, 2009 from