Feedback: Presentation of a tool aimed at developing students‘ wellbeing skills and initial evaluations by professionals

Abstract

Feedback is essential for learning, but its effective delivery remains a challenge for teachers who lack practical tools (Hattie & Clarke, 2018). Recognising the interplay between wellbeing and learning (Durlak et al., 2022), this oral presentation introduces the Feedback Ruler, an innovative ready-to-use tool designed to foster wellbeing alongside academic skills. Developed from feedback research and self-determination theory, the Feedback Ruler offers a six-step method to provide constructive feed- back. The steps include: choosing the right time for feedback, acknowledging strengths and approach, highlighting progress, pinpointing areas for improvement, creating an action plan, and enquiring about the recipient’s feelings and any additional feedback. To evaluate the Feedback Ruler, a short presentation was given to approximately 300 teachers, who assessed its utility through 15 questions spanning seven criteria. Results showed that 89% of the participants found the tool potentially beneficial for their practice. While its theoretical underpinnings were less valued, the tool was deemed effective in providing guidance. In conclusion, the Feedback Ruler was well-received and could serve as a promising resource for enhancing students’ psy- chosocial and academic competencies. Further research is suggested to explore its impact on a range of psychosocial com- petencies.