What's more useful: giving students grades or verbal feedback?

Contents:

• How grades and comments influence students' academic motivation
• How grades and comments influence students' academic performance
• What teachers should consider

How Marks and Comments Affect Academic Motivation

Studies have shown that students who receive grades for completed assignments have significantly lower levels of academic motivation compared to those who do not receive teacher feedback. This suggests that grades can negatively impact student motivation, becoming less effective than no grade. It is important to consider alternative assessment methods that can foster greater academic motivation and improve the educational process.

A detailed analysis revealed that students who receive grades experience decreased intrinsic motivation. This is reflected in their decreased interest in the subject and their less active behavioral regulation. Instead of studying voluntarily, they complete assignments based on external pressures. At the same time, these students experience increased extrinsic motivation, especially in the context of a results-oriented approach. This means that they begin to compare their achievements with those of their classmates and strive to surpass others or at least keep up with them.

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Academic Motivation: Scientific Theories and Their Explanations

Academic motivation plays a key role in the learning process and the formation of successful outcomes. Scientific theories offer various approaches to understanding the mechanisms underlying student motivation. One such theory is Abraham Maslow's theory of needs, which identifies a hierarchy of needs, ranging from physiological to self-actualization. According to this theory, satisfying basic needs contributes to the development of higher motivations, such as the desire for knowledge.

Another significant theory is self-determination theory, developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. It emphasizes the importance of internal and external factors influencing motivation. Internal factors, such as interest and passion, promote deeper involvement in the learning process, while external factors, such as rewards and grades, can both support and suppress motivation.

Cognitive theory is also important for understanding academic motivation. This theory emphasizes that perceptions of one's own successes and failures influence one's subsequent motivation to learn. Students who are confident in their abilities and able to overcome challenges tend to be more motivated to continue their studies.

Understanding these theories helps develop effective strategies for increasing academic motivation. Applying research-based practices can significantly improve the learning process and achieve higher academic results.

Research has shown that students' intrinsic motivation is reduced by grades, especially among middle and high school students. This is in contrast to younger students, who do not experience this effect. This can be explained by the fact that it is easier to earn good grades in elementary school, while the transition to middle school is accompanied by an increase in the complexity of the curriculum and stricter requirements. As a result, grades begin to cause stress in students, which negatively impacts their interest in subjects and their enjoyment of learning.

An interesting fact is that the intrinsic motivation of high-achieving students is not weakened by grades, unlike the motivation of students with low scores. This is explained by the fact that if a child or teenager rarely receives good grades, then the learning process and the subject itself are unlikely to be associated with something exciting and positive. The development of a positive attitude toward learning and motivation to learn depends on success and recognition of achievements, which is especially important for developing interest in subjects and the educational process as a whole. Written feedback from teachers has a more pronounced effect than simple grades. Students who receive comments on their assignments demonstrate a higher level of academic engagement. Research confirms that detailed feedback helps strengthen students' intrinsic motivation and reduces the influence of extrinsic motivation. This underscores the importance of high-quality feedback in the educational process for improving academic outcomes. Students who receive comments are more likely to exhibit a mastery-oriented approach, which means striving for personal progress without comparing their results with those of others. They also demonstrate greater interest in the subject and a sense of competence, expressed in the belief, "I can do it, I can do it." In contrast, students who receive only grades often fail to develop these qualities. Thus, using comments instead of grades promotes deeper student engagement in the learning process and builds confidence in their abilities.

The type of comments has a significant impact on student motivation. Specific feedback, in which the teacher highlights strengths and weaknesses and points out areas for further improvement, is the most effective. General phrases such as "You did a great job, well done" can have some positive impact, but their effect is significantly less. Specific recommendations contribute to a deeper understanding of the material and encourage students to improve.

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How to get your class to listen to you and demonstrate the best results in their studies? An effective approach is to praise students more often and criticize them less often. Positive reinforcement helps build trusting relationships between teachers and students, which in turn increases motivation and interest in learning. Foster an atmosphere in which every child feels valued and heard. This will create a more productive learning environment and improve overall class results.

Interestingly, when students received both comments and grades on completed assignments, this did not significantly impact their intrinsic motivation. Conversely, when feedback was solely in the form of comments, this had a more noticeable effect. Importantly, high-quality feedback can play a key role in shaping student motivation. Effective comments promote deep understanding of the material and increase engagement in the learning process.

Research shows that students view a grade as a clear and concrete indicator of their achievement, leading them to focus exclusively on it. In turn, comments are perceived as secondary and less important for their assessment. Therefore, introducing formative feedback along with grades does not have a positive impact on the learning process. For more effective learning, it is necessary to integrate feedback that is perceived equally with grades.

How grades and comments affect student performance

Research shows that students who receive grades generally perform better than those who do not receive any feedback. This observation applies to students of all grades, but the most pronounced difference is observed among younger students. In other words, knowing that they will be graded motivates students to study better. However, it is important to note that such learning activity is often driven by external factors, rather than intrinsic motivation.

The importance of grades for student performance varies depending on the subject. Research shows that grades have a more significant impact on student performance in the humanities than in the exact sciences, such as mathematics and physics. This highlights the importance of assessment approaches across different areas of education and the need to adapt assessment methods to the specifics of the subject.

Comments play a key role in the educational process, as detailed feedback significantly improves student performance compared to simple grades. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of comments depends on their content. Specific and meaningful feedback on the quality of completed work contributes to improved academic outcomes. Conversely, general and vague statements do not have a positive impact on student achievement. Effective comments encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of the material and self-improvement.

Students benefit most from comments when they are provided without grades. When teachers combine feedback with grades, effectiveness decreases, and the result is comparable to simply assigning grades.

What educators should consider

A meta-analysis has shown that grades have a positive impact on student performance compared to no feedback. However, it is worth noting that the grading system can negatively impact intrinsic motivation. Research confirms that there is a direct link between intrinsic motivation and academic outcomes. Therefore, a student who receives a high grade for good work may lose motivation over time, which will ultimately impact their academic achievement. It is important to consider this aspect when using a grading system to maintain and develop students' intrinsic motivation.

Feedback in the form of comments has a clear and unambiguous meaning. It not only enhances intrinsic motivation but also contributes to improved academic performance. Substantive comments, covering both positive and negative aspects of work, as well as recommendations for improvement, are much more effective than general statements. The latter, while they may slightly increase motivation, do not lead to significant changes in academic performance. Quality feedback plays a key role in the educational process, helping students grow and develop.

Based on the data obtained, the researchers developed a number of recommendations for teachers. These tips will help improve the educational process and increase its effectiveness. Teachers should consider the individual needs of students, implement active learning methods, and utilize modern technology. It is also important to create a supportive classroom atmosphere that fosters critical thinking and creativity in students. Regularly analyzing learning outcomes will help adapt teaching approaches and methods, ensuring higher academic performance and student engagement.

• Whenever possible, students should be given detailed written feedback on each assignment.
• If it is possible to do without grades (as part of ongoing formative assessment), then it is best to do so.
• When assigning grades, it makes sense to first provide students with feedback in the form of comments, allocate time for them to analyze and take it into account, and only then assign grades.
• When choosing an assessment method, it is important to remember that grades can harm the intrinsic motivation of middle and high school students, especially low-achieving students.

The question of how a teacher can find time to regularly provide formative feedback to each student remains relevant. One possible solution is artificial intelligence-based tools that can evaluate written work and assignments according to pre-established criteria. These technologies provide detailed feedback, significantly simplifying the evaluation process. In our latest collection, we looked at innovative EdTech projects that can help in this regard. Using AI in education not only saves teachers' time, but also improves the quality of feedback for students.