Beyond the Technology: Rethinking assessment and feedback - unlocking the power of comparison based feedback
In this episode, we are joined by Professor David Nicol, Suzanne McCallum, Lovleen Kushwah and Nick Quinn from the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow to chat about how they are using comparison based feedback to improve their assessment and feedback practices.
Professor David Nicol, research professor: teaching excellence initiative at the Adam Smith Business School, starts by taking us through the research they have undertaken into feedback, looking at what feedback students generate themselves when asked to compare their work against other types of information such as videos, textbooks or lecture notes, instead of a teacher’s comments.
David’s research found that students generate significant feedback on their own whilst also reducing the need for teacher comments. He then explains the three concepts behind the work at the university:
- All feedback is inner feedback - students are the protagonist of feedback
- All feedback is a result of a comparison process
- What students compare their work against determines the type of feedback they generate - Different kinds of information results in different kinds of feedback
Suzanne McCallum, Lovleen Kushwah and Dr Nick Quinn then speak about the methods they are using to bring this comparison based feedback approach to life, sharing how they have found it so far and the feedback they have had from students.
Show notes
- The discussion around assessment and feedback starts at 7:45
- Read their guide on Active Feedback
- Read the assessment and feedback higher education landscape review
- Read our guide on the principles of good assessment and feedback
- Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you
- Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series
Episode guests
Professor David Nicol, research professor: teaching excellence initiative
Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow
Dr Lovleen Kushwah, lecturer in economics
Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow
Suzanne McCallum, senior lecturer in accounting and finance
Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow
Dr Nick Quinn, lecturer in entrepreneurship (management)
Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow
Episode host
Sarah Knight
Head of learning and teaching transformation, higher education, Jisc
Follow Sarah on Twitter
Episode producer
Mark Lennon
Digital campaign manager, Jisc