The Power of Student Feedback: A Game-Changer for Your Teaching Practice

As educators, we are constantly surrounded by feedback. Sometimes it comes in the form of performance evaluations—hello, Danielson framework—while other times, it arrives as "glows and grows" or "roses and thorns" from administrators. Content coaches, ILTs, and department chairs offer insights on making lessons more engaging, and some educators even seek feedback from peers (#observeme). And, of course, parents have their share of feedback to offer as well.

Yet, there’s one group of stakeholders often overlooked in the feedback conversation: students.

Students provide valuable feedback on how to enhance their learning experience

While there are countless resources on giving students meaningful feedback, far fewer emphasize the value of receiving it from them, which is a missed opportunity.

Early in my teaching career, an assistant principal told me, “Feedback is a gift,” and I’ve carried that mindset with me ever since. Over the past three years, I’ve intentionally incorporated student feedback into my teaching practice, and the impact has been transformational. Here are five actionable ways to integrate student feedback into your classroom.

1. Model, Model, and Model Some More!

Giving quality feedback is a skill, and like any skill, it needs to be taught. Students need guidance on what meaningful feedback looks like. Take time to discuss examples of constructive versus unhelpful feedback, model the process, and create opportunities for students to practice giving feedback to one another. Not only does this improve the quality of the feedback you receive, but it also strengthens students’ interpersonal communication skills—a win-win!

2. Be Specific with Your Ask

Before asking for feedback, know exactly what you want insights on. In the first year of in-person teaching after the COVID-19 pandemic, my primary goal was to ensure my classroom felt like a safe and welcoming space. Instead of asking for general feedback, I posed targeted questions:

- What in the physical space helps you focus?

- What’s distracting?

- What should I change to make learning easier?

The responses led to simple yet impactful changes: I added more string lights to reduce reliance on harsh overhead lighting, increased the font size on my slides, rearranged seating for better board visibility, and put up multiplication charts. These small, low-cost adjustments made a big difference for my students—changes I might not have made without their input.

3. Ask Follow-Up Questions

Going deeper helps you understand the root of students’ feedback. When I surveyed students about our classroom environment, several requested a class pet. Due to district policies, that wasn’t feasible, but through follow-up questions, I discovered they simply wanted something special and comforting in our space. Our compromise? A class plushie they could “care” for. Similarly, when I sought feedback on a flipped classroom model, students disliked watching videos at home but found them useful for reviewing content after in-class instruction. Their insights helped me refine my approach rather than abandon the strategy altogether.

The Orioles Bird became our class pet and mascot

4. Be Transparent

If you’re new to asking students for feedback, expect lots of questions! Students will wonder why you’re asking and what you’ll do with their responses. Be open about your purpose, and when you receive feedback, share what you learned. This not only builds trust but also fosters a culture where students feel valued.

5. Follow Through!

For student feedback to be meaningful, students must see that their voices lead to real change. You won’t be able to implement every suggestion, and that’s okay—just be sure to acknowledge feedback and explain your decisions. Transparency and follow-through demonstrate that their input matters, strengthening classroom relationships and encouraging more thoughtful responses in the future.

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A Few Notes on Student Feedback

Getting Quality Feedback Takes Time

Some students will be blunt, while others may hesitate, offering responses like “It’s fine” or “Idk.” The more you ask for feedback—and show that you genuinely consider it—the more comfortable they’ll become in providing honest, thoughtful insights. Relationships are key!

Make Feedback a Regular Practice

For student feedback to be effective, it must be an ongoing process. Set a schedule: Can you identify four specific areas for feedback? Great! Tackle one per quarter.

Use Anonymity with Caution

While anonymous feedback can encourage honesty, it can also lead to unhelpful or even hurtful comments. Before introducing anonymous feedback, thoroughly model appropriate ways to express constructive criticism.

Encourage Student Self-Reflection

Feedback shouldn’t be a one-way street. Encourage students to reflect on their own role in shaping the classroom environment. For example, when gathering feedback on the physical space, I also asked students to evaluate their own habits:

- Do you clean up after yourself?

- Do you use materials responsibly?

- Do you contribute to a positive learning atmosphere?

When students self-reflect, they become more invested in creating a productive and respectful classroom community.

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Share in the Comments!

• How do you use student feedback in your classroom?

  
  

• If you don’t, what’s holding you back?

  
  

• What’s one area where you’d love to hear your students’ thoughts?

If this post resonated with you, consider sharing it with a fellow educator!