Wednesday, May 29, 2013

 

Positive Feedback Positive Learning

Learning is best when it is positive. Even brain research indicates that when the brain is in a positive mood learning is more effective. Thus every student should receive positive feedback. Every paper, quiz, assignment or test should contain positive feedback. Even papers with an 'F' should have remarks such as "good try keep working hard", "I'm pleased you turned in a paper.", "You are brave for turning in a paper today."

It takes bravery to turn in a paper you know is not what it should be. Or worse if everyone is turning in a paper when you don't have one, you are filled with anxiety and dread. When you have tried hard, you turn in papers and assignments with a positive feeling and pride. Believe me as a dyslexic student, I know this from personal experience.

Positive comments encourage students to work and try harder. This is called positive reinforcement. The opposite negative reinforcement makes a student dislike learning and causes him to avoid doing assignments. The teachers we remember with good feelings were those who were positive and encouraged us to try hard and to do our best. They are teachers who said positive things and smiled a lot at us. They radiated warmth and kindness.

Brain research shows that positive feedback releases dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neural transmitter which helps nerves to communicate with each other. When dopamine is released by the nerves the student feels better and learning occurs much better as well. So positive feedback is a basic part of our ability to learn and remember new things. Thanks for reading my blog. :-)


Comments:
James, I have been following your comments since I joined the QIAT listserv and you have taught me so much! Thanks for such a positive article. I am going to bookmark your blog so I can refer to it again. Thanks for your contributions to my professional growth.

Lindsay Slater
 
James, I have been following your comments since I joined the QIAT listserv and you have taught me so much! Thanks for such a positive article. I am going to bookmark your blog so I can refer to it again. Thanks for your contributions to my professional growth.

Lindsay Slater
 
I really like this and think it is so important the language we use as nurturing educators to special needs students. I am severely dyslexic and as a college student who loved literature and writing but before spell check could never write a paper that did not come back with a poor grade and many notes on mechanics. The negative feeb back was devastating and kept me from doing something that I was good at for almost 20 years. Never once did I get encouraged for my content just put down for the way my brain was wired and my inability to edit copy because of my dyslexia. I wonder if the professor even knew what his words did to me?
 
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