SpeedGrader Feedback

Regular and Substantive InteractionSpeedGrader Feedback

5 min read

Overview

Feedback is a potential RSI method. Instructors should use a combination of methods most appropriate to the discipline and course. Explore this page to understand how to best create feedback that target student engagement and accreditation/evaluation requirements.

Not All Feedback Is RSI

Not RSI:

Feedback that is purely administrative, generic, or uses a copy-and-paste approach where students receive identical comments does not meet the substantive interaction criteria. Such feedback fails to address the student's specific work, lacks academic engagement, and is viewed unfavorably by accreditors, who seek evidence of personalized and meaningful instructor-student interaction.

Gray Area:

This category includes feedback that falls short of the depth and personalization required for substantial interaction. It may show some engagement with the student's work but uses a semi-generic template that lacks detailed, student-focused advice. Accreditors might see this as a minimal effort to meet RSI requirements, emphasizing the need for more personalized engagement.

RSI:

Feedback that is detailed, constructive, and personalized, directly addressing the student’s specific work and learning needs, clearly falls into this category. Utilizing Canvas's SpeedGrader features to tailor feedback ensures that each student receives individualized attention that supports their academic development.

Self Check

Start with the best example, then click on the other answers for additional guidance!

Employing annotation tools or personalized audio/video feedback to highlight strengths and areas for improvement in the student's work, accompanied by detailed comments that explain how the issues relate to course objectives and learning outcomes.: Definitely RSI Example: This type of feedback is strongly aligned with accreditation standards for substantive interaction, demonstrating active and meaningful engagement with each student’s learning process.
Leaving the same comment like "Great work, keep it up!" on every student's submission without addressing individual performance, errors, or achievements.: NOT RSI. Such feedback fails to address the student's specific work, lacks academic engagement, and is viewed unfavorably by accreditors, who seek evidence of personalized and meaningful instructor-student interaction.
Comments that start with a template, such as "On this assignment, you demonstrated a good understanding of [topic], but..." followed by a brief, often vague suggestion for improvement that doesn't deeply engage with the student's specific content or errors.: Gray Area: Accreditors and evaluators might see this as a minimal effort to meet RSI requirements, emphasizing the need for more personalized engagement.

Can Accreditors and Evaluators Access SpeedGrader Feedback?

Start with your best guess, then click on the other answers for additional guidance!

No: Evaluators can see SpeedGrader feedback, even in audio or video format, if it's created or at least accessible in Canvas.
Gray Area (Conditional Visibility): Evaluators can see SpeedGrader feedback, even in audio or video format, if it's created or at least accessible in Canvas.
Yes: Yes, evaluators can see SpeedGrader comments, including accessible audio and video comments! Depending on the evaluator, they may look to see whether feedback is provided in a timely manner.

Key Takeaways

Integrate Feedback Within LMS: Ensure all substantive feedback is provided directly within Canvas to maximize visibility and traceability.
Document External Communications: If feedback involves external tools or communications, ensure a summary or record is accessible within the course’s LMS environment.
Leverage LMS Features Fully: Utilize the spectrum of feedback tools available within the LMS (annotations, audio/video feedback, rubrics) to provide rich, engaging, and visible feedback.

Further Examples

Below are examples of feedback on a hypothetical business class assignment where students are asked to analyze the marketing strategy of a chosen company:

Weak example:

"Good job on this assignment. You covered the basics of the company's strategy. Make sure to review the grading rubric for next time."

Why It's Weak: This feedback is vague and does not offer any specific guidance for improvement. It acknowledges the effort but fails to engage with the student's analysis in a meaningful way, leaving the student without clear direction on how to enhance their understanding or performance in future assignments.

Stronger Example:

Shelf of pink Stanley cups with a 20-per-customer limit posted "I like that you chose Stanley and the effort you put into outlining their viral cup marketing strategy. Your analysis of their social media campaign shows good understanding of the chapter, but it would be strengthened by directly linking it to the concepts of consumer engagement we discussed in week 4. For example, how does the company's use of targeted ads reflect our discussion on market segmentation? Additionally, consider examining the effectiveness of their strategy by looking at metrics such as engagement rates or sales figures. This could provide a stronger evaluation of their approach. I’ve attached a couple of articles that might help deepen your analysis for next time. Keep up the good work, and I’m looking forward to seeing how you apply these suggestions in your next assignment."

Why It's Strong: This feedback is specific, actionable, and constructive. It acknowledges the student’s effort and provides clear guidance on how to deepen their analysis by connecting it to course concepts. The suggestion to include specific metrics introduces a practical aspect to the analysis, encouraging the student to think critically and apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context. The inclusion of additional resources shows support for the student's learning journey, and the overall tone is encouraging and positive.

How to Use SpeedGrader

Canvas Guide to SpeedGrader Links to an external site.

Video Guide to SpeedGrader (three minutes):