Feedback Delivery Methods
Written comments in the Add a Comment box in the Canvas Gradebook or SpeedGrader are the most common way to provide feedback, but there are other ways to provide feedback to your students. Some of these methods are more appropriate for certain types of assignments. You can adapt your feedback method to best fit the type of assignment.
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Feedback Method |
What it is |
When to use it |
How to use it (tutorials) |
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Rubric |
A rubric is a grading tool, like those you’ve seen in this course, that allow you to detail out your grading criteria and expectations for an assignment. |
Use it when you need to leave feedback on the specific elements that you are grading. This will help students know exactly why they got the score they did and where they can improve. |
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Annotations |
In Canvas’ SpeedGrader you can leave specific comments, highlights, etc. on the student’s assignment. Microsoft Word’s Track Changes tool and Google Doc’s Suggest Edits feature are other ways to leave comments on student assignments. |
Use it when you want to focus on specific elements of an assignment such as a particular formula, equation, answer, paragraph, etc., and wish to leave comments throughout the assignment. |
Canvas Speedgrader using DocViewer Links to an external site. |
|
Video/Audio Comment |
Canvas lets you create video or audio comments in SpeedGrader. The video feature is just a recording of you and not of your computer screen. You can watch an example of a video comment Links to an external site.. |
This method is best for more general feedback or for shorter assignments and/or questions. It enables students to see or hear you so that they can better understand your feedback. It also adds a personal touch and builds a connection with the student. |
SpeedGrader video/audio commenting Links to an external site. |
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Screencast |
A screencast is a video recording of your computer screen and allows you to show what you are talking about. |
You can use a screencast to be able to talk about a student’s assignment while showing it on the screen. It enables the student to hear your voice and positive tone, but the focus is on the work itself. In addition to Kaltura, one of the best tools to give this kind of feedback is Screeencastify. It is a free, easy-to-use screencasting tool that provides a URL, which you can share with students in the “Add a Comment” box in SpeedGrader. |
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Conferences |
There are tools such as WebEx or Microsoft Teams in Canvas that allow you to hold a video conference with your students. You can also share your screen with them or vice versa. |
You can use this to meet with your students and provide them feedback on proposals, outlines, and drafts so you can offer more extensive, real-time feedback that can help them improve their final lab, project, or project. This again shows your direct presence and involvement with the student. |