1. Dr. Elena Polisca Italian Studies The University of Manchester
Engaging language students in the feedback process: a trial with audio-feedback
Dr. Elena Polisca
Italian Studies
The University of Manchester

2. Overview Background information (Italian Studies) Research questions
The Hear IT! project
Project evaluation

3. Background information (1)
Italian Studies: ‘smaller’ discipline within School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures
Recruited well in
ITAL10200 and ITAL30200 teach students how to write in Italian
Students write on a weekly (ITAL10200) and fortnightly basis (ITAL30200)
Marking load is incredibly high

4. Research questions
Is there a way in which tutor marking time can be reduced?
Do students really engage with the feedback received?
Is there a way in which we can engage students with feedback further?

5. The Hear IT! project
2 control groups and 1 test group for both ITAL30200 and ITAL10200
Tutor marks compositions on paper for all students
Control groups receive feedback on conventional School’s feedback forms
Test groups receive audio feedback (MP3s recordings) on Blackboard

6. The test groups Students received marked work without Feedback sheet
Students have to look for audio-recordings in Bb to get comments and mark
Students have to fill in their own Feedback sheet according to audio-comments
Students put ‘their’ feedback sheet in marked portfolio (for ITAL10200 only)

7. The feedback sheet

8. The Hear IT! project Audio-feedback examples: ITAL10200 ITAL30200
And one example from the students themselves

9. The Hear IT! project Did Hear IT! cut down tutor feedback time?
Recordings between 3-5 mins long
More interactive
I enjoyed doing them
(better than writing forms!)
Speaking faster than writing / printing / stapling
MP3s on Video Library Service + link in Bb
Overall, audio feedback is probably faster, but this is down to the individual (e.g. what if you make a mistake? Are you happy with your recording?)

10. Project evaluation (test groups)
Respondents

11. How would you rate the quality of feedback received?
ITAL10200
ITAL30200

12. Project evaluation (test groups): the feedback sheet ITAL10200
Did you complete the feedback sheet?
Yes: 100%
Did you enjoy doing it?
Did you find it useful?

13. Project evaluation (test groups): the feedback sheet ITAL10200
Why didn’t you enjoy completing it?
Not actual work, just admin
Only to appease guidelines
Why did you find it useful?
Helped me understand the different components needed for a successful piece of work
Helped me see my mistakes more clearly
Helped reiterate feedback
Good to reflect on strengths / weaknesses
Made me more aware of marking scheme

14. Project evaluation (test groups): the feedback sheet ITAL30200
Did you complete the feedback sheet?
Did you enjoy doing it?
Did you find it useful?

15. Project evaluation (test groups): the feedback sheet ITAL30200
Why didn’t you complete it?
I forgot
It was time-consuming
Dull
Didn’t feel it was necessary
Why did you find it useful?
Makes you think about mistakes more
Wrong points easier to remember
Listened to it more than once and understood it better

16. Project evaluation (test groups)
Did you feel engaged with the feedback process overall?

17. Project evaluation (test group ITAL10200)
In what way did the feedback given make you feel engaged with the feedback process?
Audio feedback more personal (x5)
I had to think about feedback much more than usual (on audio feedback)
You are more involved with the marking process (x2)
It showed me my mistakes, which is vital to learning

18. Project evaluation (test group ITAL30200)
In what way did the feedback given make you feel engaged with the feedback process?
It makes you think about your mistakes
I was very curious about the feedback and treated it very seriously
Audio feedback more personal and feels like a one-to-one with the tutor (x5)
I really like getting feedback so was always engaged
Allows you to improve

19. Which feedback format did you prefer to receive?

20. Conclusions (1)
Students seem to engage with the feedback received, regardless of format (… but 100% audio)
Is it really necessary to engage finalist students with feedback further?
It makes sense to use audio feedback with 1st year students to:
Make them feel like they own their work
Help them understand what we look for
Help them familiarise with key feedback vocabulary

21. Contact details
Dr. Elena Polisca Italian Studies School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures The University of Manchester Oxford Rd. Manchester, M13 9PL