When it comes to progression, it can be hard to know where to start. We share why feedback is the cornerstone to effective learning.
Whether you’re a teacher, mentor, manager, or peer, one of the most powerful tools you have to support someone’s growth is feedback.
In any learning journey, formal or informal, feedback bridges the gap between where someone is and where they need to be.
It’s not just about correction; it’s about connection, encouragement, and clarity.
And that’s not all. Learners want it too.
In fact, 65% of employees say they want more feedback.
But there are many ways to give feedback, so what’s the best way to do it?
From 360 feedback to instant grading, understanding how well you did or didn’t do on something is key to development.
Keep reading to learn:
- What learner feedback is
- Why feedback from others is important in learning and development
- How does feedback help in the learning process
- How to include space for feedback in your LMS
Let’s get started.
💡 Pro Tip
Want to skip to getting feedback data in your LMS? If you already know how important it is, read our guide.
Here’s how to gather feedback in your LMS
What is learner feedback?
Learner feedback refers to the information, comments, or evaluations provided to someone engaged in learning, with the goal of helping them understand their performance and improve.
It can come from peers, managers, or even via self-assessment, and it serves to highlight what a learner is doing well, what needs improvement, and how to make those improvements.
There are a few key characteristics of effective learner feedback:
Supportive – It encourages growth and confidence, not discouragement or fear of failure.
Timely – It’s given soon after the learning activity, while it’s still fresh in the learner’s mind.
Specific – It focuses on particular aspects of the learner’s work, not just general praise or criticism.
Constructive – It offers actionable suggestions or guidance, not just pointing out problems.
In the learning space, feedback comes in many forms.
There’s instant feedback, such as that you get in grading a quiz for example. Then there’s 360 feedback, which is long term feedback from colleagues, managers etc.
All of these different types of feedback are important and play their own role.
Understanding the role they play and why it’s so important is key to creating an engaging and effective learning programme.
Related: Real life examples of constructive feedback
Why feedback from others is important in learning and development
While self-reflection is valuable, it only takes us so far.
Feedback from others offers an outside perspective that can reveal blind spots, challenge assumptions, and accelerate growth.
Whether it comes from a manager, coach, colleague, or peer, external feedback is crucial in helping learners understand how their efforts are perceived and where they can improve.
When we’re deep in the process of learning something new, it’s easy to miss our own mistakes or overestimate our understanding.
That’s where outside feedback becomes essential.
It brings in fresh eyes, honest insights, and often, practical suggestions we might not have considered ourselves.
For example, a manager might notice patterns in how an employee communicates during team meetings and offer tips to be more concise.
Feedback from others also helps validate progress.
Hearing “You’ve improved a lot in how you explain your ideas” can be just as motivating as critical feedback is informative.
It creates a sense of momentum and encourages learners to keep building on their strengths.
Most importantly, learning and development don’t happen in a vacuum. They’re social processes.
Conversations, collaboration, and constructive feedback help turn information into real understanding and effort into meaningful growth.
How does feedback help in the learning process
We’ve already brushed upon some of the ways feedback can impact learners and businesses.
But we have 7 key reasons why feedback is so important, particularly in the learning space:
- Identifying errors and misunderstandings
- Clarifying expectations
- Motivation
- Enhancing self-awareness
- Encouraging reflection
- Fostering growth
- Improving performance
Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
1. Identifying errors and misunderstandings
Feedback acts as a beacon, illuminating the shadows of misunderstanding and error.
It provides learners with specific insights into where they’ve gone astray and how they can correct their course.
By pinpointing mistakes, feedback empowers learners to address weaknesses and solidify their understanding.
2. Clarifying expectations
Clear communication is essential in any learning endeavor, and feedback plays a pivotal role in setting and clarifying expectations.
It provides learners with a roadmap, outlining what is expected of them and how their performance will be evaluated.
This clarity fosters a sense of direction and purpose, guiding learners towards their educational objectives.
3. Motivation
Feedback serves as both a carrot and a stick, motivating learners to strive for excellence.
Positive feedback reinforces desired behaviours and achievements, while constructive feedback offers guidance for improvement.
By recognising progress and offering support, feedback fuels learners’ motivation, propelling them towards their goals.
Related: Learning motivation [what is it and why is it useful?]
4. Enhancing self-awareness
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of personal growth and development, and feedback plays a vital role in its cultivation.
By providing insights into strengths and weaknesses, feedback enables learners to gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
This self-awareness empowers learners to take ownership of their learning journey, making informed decisions and pursuing areas of improvement.
5. Encouraging reflection
Reflection is the engine of learning, driving continuous improvement and growth.
Feedback prompts learners to pause and reflect on their learning process and strategies. By analysing feedback, learners can gain valuable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.
This reflective practice enhances metacognitive skills, enabling learners to become more effective and efficient learners.
6. Fostering growth mindset
A growth mindset is essential for resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.
Feedback plays a pivotal role in fostering this mindset by emphasising the value of effort and perseverance.
Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, learners see them as opportunities for growth and learning.
This shift in perspective empowers learners to embrace challenges and pursue excellence with confidence.
7. Improving performance
Ultimately, the goal of feedback is to improve performance and facilitate learning.
By providing specific guidance and actionable insights, feedback enables learners to refine their skills and knowledge.
This iterative process of feedback and adjustment drives continuous improvement, leading to enhanced performance over time.
How to include giving feedback in your LMS
Ok, so we know why we need to include feedback as part of our learning strategy, but how do we actually achieve it?
There are a few types of feedback to look at:
- Instant feedback
- 360 feedback
- General feedback
Let’s look at each type.
Instant feedback
Instant feedback is what it says on the tin. A learner engages in content and is given an instant response to an action. A good example of this is the result to a question they have to answer.
Whether they get it right or wrong, they’re given the answer and positive feedback or positive reinforcement.
This instant feedback engages the learner and keeps them hooked, no matter if they’re getting the answer or not.
360 feedback
360 feedback is a little different.
This is where you ask colleagues; whether they’re on the same team or a manager, for feedback on a particular employee.
Usually, this will be 3-6 months post learning content and will ask specific questions to see if they have retained the information and how it has impacted how they work.
Obtaining 360 feedback is obviously more time-consuming but can reap better rewards.
Related: Read how to collect and share 360 feedback using an LMS
General feedback
Lots of things can count as feedback. And remember, learner feedback counts too.
You could set up surveys for learners once they’ve completed content to get their opinions.
This would help you refine your learning content to greater success.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, feedback is not merely a peripheral aspect of learning; it’s a key component to ensuring progression is made and that learning is retained.
From identifying errors to fostering a growth mindset, feedback serves as a catalyst for learning and growth.
Book a demo to see how we can help you foster an environment for feedback in your LMS.