A runner has spent weeks
training for a race. He has conditioned his body. By giving him running tips
and encouraging him, his coach has helped him. Finally, the day came for him to
race. His coach was sitting on the sidelines. The whistle blows for the race to
start. As his feet pushes to ground, he feels anxiety gradually build up in his
body. The anxiety subsides as he hears his coach cheering for him. He begins to
run faster and faster. He sees the finish line. With one last stride, he completed
the race. He enthusiastically walks to his coach. However, his coach stares
blankly at him. The runner waits for the coach to utter a single word of
congratulations. Yet, the coach says nothing. Feeling dejected, the runner
walks away from his coach and goes to receive his medal for finishing the race.
Similarly, students who finish a project without any suggestions afterwards
from the teacher feel this way.
Verbal feedback is
essential for students to have after ending a project. It shows that their
efforts for the project are appreciated. If a project ended by just ceasing
work without any suggestions, students would be negatively impacted. One
negative impact would be that students would be aimless. They would be unaware
of their progress. They would not know if they just completed the project with
average work or above average work. Suggestions would provide them with their
state of progress. Another negative impact would be improper closure. Students
need the right type of closure at the end of a project. Suggestions would give
them proper closure by allowing them to reflect on their work.
