Working with undergraduates requires balancing critique with the understanding that many are at the beginning of their learning journeys. So what does the art of giving good feedback look like, especially when it comes to global health?In a workshop led by Nina Bhattacharya, the Incubator’s Instructional Design Specialist, graduate students from across Harvard University participated in hands-on activities to delve into the heart of the topic. After reflecting on their own experiences delivering challenging feedback, participants unpacked a sample student policy brief from Faculty Director Sue J. Goldie’s introductory global health course at Harvard College.
After writing their feedback, the group reconvened to share some of their observations about the process. What information did they wish they had? What did they notice about the types of comments they made to the students? They observed how the exercise forced them to also reflect on the purpose of the assignment itself, and think through whether their comments aligned with that purpose.
To culminate the animated conversation, each workshop participant modeled a short “office hour” conversation with a student. They filmed their feedback and practice how they might deliver assignment feedback to a student. The Incubator’s Scholar-in-Residence Terry Aladjem also joined for the workshop, providing thoughtful feedback to participants during the collective debrief of the exercise. Each participant opened with their own reflections regarding their delivery before opening the conversation to broader tips and feedback—it truly felt like a community of practice, one that could extend beyond the boundaries of the workshop itself.
Explore the other ways the Incubator is field-testing different modalities for teaching and learning.