Tips and Resources for Providing Feedback

This page offers practical tips and resources for giving meaningful feedback to your participants. Learn how to provide constructive criticism, recognize achievements, and tailor your approach to meet diverse learning needs.

General Guidelines for Providing Feedback

1. It is important that Instructors and Instructor Trainers take notes throughout the course, so they have a paper trail of what happens with each participant in case there is some follow up after the course with that participant and/or Paddle Canada.
2. Feedback should be specific and constructive, not general or destructive.
• Specific feedback contains precise information about what the learner is doing well and what he or she should try to do to solve or correct any problems.
• Constructive feedback recognizes the positive aspect of the learner’s behaviour and suggests positive steps for his or her improvement.
3. Feedback should be directed at changeable behaviour. Try to focus on an immediate, achievable goal. Success motivates.
4. Feedback should be given sooner not later and should be checked for clarity.
• The sooner the feedback occurs, the clearer the memory or ‘feeling’ of the action the learner will have, making it easier to learn the feedback.
• To make sure feedback is understood, check with the learner. For example, ask learners to tell you what they think you said or what they think you want them to do.
5. Feedback should be positive and informative.
• Feedback should confirm to the learner what he or she is doing right or what must be done to correct a problem.
• Short, snappy negative feedback provides little information.
• Nonverbal messages in giving feedback will also help the learner understand your message. For example, thumbs up, smiling and nodding one’s head.
• Instructors should remember to be concise and careful with what they say.

Feedback Examples on Skills Courses

During skills courses the instructor should be offering critical feedback. The following is an example.

1 or 2 Positive Specific Points:

1)

2)

1 Specific Point to Work On:

1)

Example:

“Jane, you had good body rotation and extension of the arms. Try extending the grip hand out over the water a little more so you can achieve a more vertical paddle shaft for that effective stroke. Any questions?”

Feedback Examples on Instructor Courses

Following a instructor candidates presentation on an instructor course, the group of peers should practice giving feedback and sharing ideas. An example might be:

• one thing they liked about the presentation, and
• one thing they might have done differently.

This gives an opportunity to share and expand on ideas about presenting to a group.

The Instructor Trainer may add a suggestion, if there was an obvious miss, otherwise just leave it with the peer suggestions. The Instructor Trainer doesn’t have to share all the time in the group setting if the participants are coming up with great feedback ideas.

Example:

1. “I like that your explanation was short, clear and concise.”
2. “I might have positioned the group with their backs to the sun during the introduction and demonstration.”