Reflection On Hwee Hwee's Blog On AFL

I find that AFL is a very effective and useful way of both teachers assess students and even themselves in the process of progressing towards learning goals. Not only the students will be beware of their strengths and shortcomings in terms of their learning abilities, they will also be able to receive constant feedback on the areas that they can strengthen on. On the other hand, teachers will also be able to assess their own lessons in terms of how effective are their lessons in terms of being able to help students to progress. I feel that the way the feedback is given to students is also very important. The feedback must be given in the way that it will motivate them but not 'bring them down' or demoralize them. For classes like my 4E4, carrying out activities don't seem to be very effective as they feedback to me that they will like more 'normal' teaching and they simply want to progress and move on topics to topics. Most of 4e4 and even 4E3 in fact half or more of each class, have gone throught tuition and learnt the theory and done questions. Therefore for such classes, I will have to drill more challenging work and expose them to more different kinds of questions. The feedback I can give them may have to be based on class tests, mid year examinations, written assignments, instead of activities. In all, I find that constant feedback, in terms of written (more effective) or verbal form, is very important. The difficult part may be the feedback that is given to them, we must also ensure they 'remember and learn' from the feedback, because giving feedback without actions or improvement after that, then the feedback may not be considered that effectve already.