Instructional Strategies
 
 
      

Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback

from Classroom Instruction that Works Robert J. Marzano, Debra, J . Pickering, Jane E. Pollock, MCREL, 2001.


Summary of Research on Setting Objectives

     
  • Instructional goals/objectives narrow what students focus on. 
  • Instructional goals/objectives should not be too specific.
  • Students should be encouraged to personalize the teacher's goals.

Classroom Practice in Setting Objectives   
  • Goals should be general enough to provide students some flexibility. 
  • Contracts with students provide them with a great deal of control over their learning.

Summary of Research on Providing Feedback
  • Feedback should be "corrective" in nature by explanining to students what they are doing correctly and incorrectly.
  • Feedback should be specific to a criterion.
  • Feedback should be timely.
  • Students can effectively provide some of their own feedback.

Classroom Practice in Providing Feedback

  • Criterion-reference feedback is superior to norm-referenced feedback.
  • Focus feedback on specific types of knowledge and skill.
  • Student-led feedback has many desirable effects.


Technology Resources