Whether you agree or disagree, a little criticism can help you go a long way in your learning process. However, human beings do not respond well to criticism. It is human nature to like to be praised for our strengths instead of getting critiqued for our weaknesses. But it can be really helpful for learners who do not want stalled growth.
Criticism is essential for elevating your career path by correcting the learning behaviour and eventually improving your personal and professional growth.
Constructive criticism helps you find solutions to your area of weakness. It may not sound pleasing in the beginning, but it comes with positive intentions and can be used as a supportive communication tool for addressing certain concerns or issues. And if you have facing any assignment writing problems, you can directly take service from urgent assignment help experts.
What is the True Purpose of Constructive Criticism?
The purpose of providing constructive criticism is to provide feedback in ways that can lead to corrections or improvements. This is essential as it can enhance personal as well as professional growth in individuals.
It can:
- Positively influence the behaviour of an individual
- Improve the morale of the student
- Add a new perspective and valuable insight to the person receiving your feedback.
- Get rid of any confusion regarding current performance and expectation.
How to Make Your Criticism More Constructive?
Regardless of the intention of your criticism, if it is conveyed in an insulting or any way that makes them feel demotivated, the learner will never apply it, let alone listen to it. This is why it is necessary to understand the difference between destructive feedback and constructive feedback.
You need to be vigilant to understand the right time to talk or share your feedback with the learners. Before we delve into the proper ways to make constructive criticism, let me first help you understand what constructive criticism actually is.
Constructive criticism denotes a useful method of providing criticism and gives explicit and significant recommendations. It is simple, clear and forthright. It focuses on delivering a critique positively and constructively for improving behaviour and performance.
Constructive feedback is effective when:
- You find a violation of the rules
- Constructive feedback seems ineffective
- To help a person grow their skills
- When the performance of the student is not up to the mark and requires guidance
- When a learner requires a conversation that is accompanied by examples of behaviour
- When there is an accident, a conflict requires to get resolved with dialogue rather than avoidance
Here are a few tips for implementing constructive feedback:
- Make sure to focus on the situation
When giving constructive criticism, make sure to stay focused on the situation rather than on the person. This can prevent the person from being attacked personally. The best way you can achieve this is by adding “I” in your statement. It will make your comments look less personal. Starting with an ‘I’ in every phrase, you can make it clear that you are providing your facts, views and opinions. This will surely make your feedback more fruitful.
- Keep the conversation private
When a receiver feels embarrassed by your criticism, your feedback and suggestion can have little to no effect. Instead, you might make them feel discouraged or demotivated. Thus, it is essential to ensure providing constructive criticism in private, where you can carry on a conversation without making the person feel humiliated. So, take the necessary time to sit down and have the most effective discussion.
- Be specific
Constructive criticism is known to be specific. Avoid giving any general comments, and instead, describe your concerns in detail and add examples if necessary. This way, you can expect effective communication with the learner, and there won’t be any unanswered questions left at the end of the session.
- Use the sandwich method
It can be difficult to provide your critique when you are dealing with students who feel insecure and less confident. You need to tell them where they performed poorly or inappropriately behaved without hurting them. You need to make sure that you don’t make it worse while trying to do good for them. This is where sandwich technology comes into the picture. Start by giving positive feedback where you compliment them about something they have done recently or appreciate their effort. Then provide a critique where you criticize their specific behaviour or situation. Then end the conversation with a compliment.
Be honest and ensure your critique is not misunderstood in any way. This method works like wonder among people who are not confident about themselves.
- Provide recommendations on how to improve
Do not just state what they are doing wrong. Encourage them to improve and show them how to do it if required. Also, consider taking their opinion by asking them what they think about it and then point them towards the right direction. Be specific even when you are providing a recommendation. Providing recommendations after critique is what makes the feedback constructive. By doing so, you reveal your expectations and also show them how they can be improved.
- Pick the right time and place
It is essential to pick a reliable place and time to make a conversation with the learners. Ideally, teachers should make such conversation after the class without interrupting any of their classes or environment.
A one-on-one discussion can improve the comfort levels between the student and teachers and also will foster a positive learning experience.
- Include them in the feedback process
Instead of just telling them what requires to be done, give them a chance to the learner for sharing their thoughts and suggestions during the conversation. Ask them what they think should help them or what they think is the best way to improve the issue. This will let them on addressing any concerns that they may have and share g opinions about which goals they should set.
- Take a follow-up
In the constructive criticism process, follow-up is known to be one of the most important steps, as it ensures that learners stay on track and follow your advice. Just giving them constructive criticism is not enough. Your job simply does not end there. You must keep in touch with them and keep track of their progress. After some reasonable time, ask them how they are making an effort to fulfill the learning objectives you have set. You can assist them further by providing a list of supplemental online learning resources like eLearning articles and videos. This can enhance your skill and expand your overall understanding of the topic.
You may schedule sessions to discuss issues they face when resolving them and ask them if they require additional support to achieve their goals.
FINAL THOUGHTS,
You need to work on communication and leadership skills to provide constructive criticism. You must maintain the fine line between helping and hurting students. It is an important part of teaching as it helps your students understand their standard expectations, thus encouraging their growth and development. Focusing on the positives rather than the weaknesses can help students reach new heights of success.
AUTHOR BIO: John Smith has completed his degree in electrical engineering at one of the top-ranked engineering colleges in the UK. He is also associated with MyAssignmenthelp.com, where he offers electrical engineering assignment help solutions to students.
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