Asking for feedback, from the students

Teacher asking students to give themselves feedback

We are sitting at the back of the classroom having watched a whole lesson unfold with its fair share of order and chaos, planned activities done and other activities not done, some students fully involved and other students less so.

The teacher has gathered in all the equipment and papers that were used in the lesson. The next thing on the schedule is lunch. The students return to their seats, waiting for the final instructions from their teacher.

The teacher stands at the front of the class and calmly asks each student in turn, these three questions:

1. “What did you learn today?”
2. “How well did you pay attention today?”
3. “What do you need to do better next time?”

The whole process takes about eight minutes, during which the students have revealed for themselves the results of their own efforts during the lesson; and allowed them to note at least one thing to do differently next time.

The process is carried out with order, respect and full involvement. The students listen with respect to each other’s learning and suggestions of what to do differently.
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After the last student has spoken, there is a short pause until the teacher tells the students to go to lunch. Then there’s a rush for the door, and a delightful, youthful chaos as twenty students head towards food.


In my mind’s eye I can imagine this teacher start the next lesson with the same students with these three questions:

• “What will you learn today?”
• “How well will you pay attention today?”
• “What will you do better this time?”