Why ‘Good Job!’ Isn’t Good Enough: Rethinking Feedback in Education

Let’s be honest—at some point, we’ve all done it. We’ve given vague, unhelpful feedback like “Good job!” or “Try harder next time!” hoping it would motivate students.  Spoiler: it doesn’t. 

That kind of feedback is like handing someone a map with no directions—you leave them guessing their next steps.

The truth is, feedback isn’t just about pointing out what’s wrong or what to improve. It’s about opening doors to growth. And to do that, you have to be very intentional when you start giving feedback:

🟢 Be specific. Instead of “Try harder,” say, “I noticed your analysis in the first paragraph is sharp. Can you expand that clarity into the next section?”

🟢 Focus on the process. Growth happens in the how, not just the what. For example, instead of saying, “This is incorrect,” you might say, “I see you’ve tried to connect these ideas—great start! Let’s explore how we can make the connection even clearer by breaking it down step by step.”

🟢 Make it actionable. Feedback should guide learners toward their next step, not leave them wondering what to do next.

🟢 Deliver with empathy. Words like “I can see how much effort went into this. Let’s refine it together” build trust and connection.

Improving my feedback is something I’m constantly working on. It takes intentionality, reflection, and growth—but it’s worth it.

How do you approach feedback in your practice? What’s worked for you—and what hasn’t? I’d love to hear your stories. Let’s learn together.

#Education #FeedbackMatters #GrowthMindset #AllLearners

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