How student feedback improves learning

Sponsored content: created in partnership with Kaplan.

When it comes to building knowledge as a student, the route to improvement is regular and constructive feedback. But feedback works both ways, and student insights can be crucial for enhancing learning design and student experience. The rise of AI means that feedback can be more immediate and personalised than ever before. 

While most institutions embraced online teaching almost overnight during the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s clear there is still room for improvement and innovation. Effective feedback loops between students and educators can facilitate change through a process of co-creation, which also enhances students’ engagement with their studies. 

If students are able to access platforms where they can give real-time reactions to course content, for example, this can improve course design far more swiftly than traditional methods of supplying feedback. This would enable them to have a say in aspects such as accessibility and the layout of content or whether certain modules are set to the right level of understanding. 

Feedback mechanisms in online learning ensure that the curriculum is dynamic and responsive. They also enable students to provide timely and valuable feedback on how lessons are delivered so educators can adapt and improve. Students can express their opinions on whether they need more interactive elements, for example, or a separate channel for students to express their individual concerns. It’s also a vital opportunity to report any technical difficulties that need to be resolved. 

Institutions can engage with students and gather these insights in many ways. Structured tools such as questionnaires or surveys can collect targeted feedback. But bear in mind that students can get survey fatigue if they’re asked too often. Another option is to create a discussion space or forum between students and teaching staff via digital platforms, allowing students to offer their opinions anonymously to encourage honest input. Perhaps the most impactful is real-time communication, such as messaging or chat functions available on online learning platforms. But there are practical considerations here, such as deciding when comments are appropriate so they don’t derail the teaching process. 

More broadly, student feedback can inform decisions on an institutional level. Universities can access and analyse data to identify learning trends, such as popular delivery mechanisms or levels of engagement with online learning tools. This can empower institutions to prioritise specific student needs and make data-driven decisions that improve student engagement and outcomes. 

Find out more about online learning by Kaplan.