Investigating asynchronous digitally-mediated peer feedback to enhance student learning in the caring professions - In-Person event

In an effort to adapt to changing times, higher education continues to deploy various digital tools to enhance student learning and better prepare students to enter the workforce. We will present the findings of our recent Teaching Innovation Grant (TIG), which focused on how students in the caring professions deliver, receive, and act upon feedback (i.e., feedback literacy) via a digital platform. The relationship between feedback literacy and digital platforms remains relatively under-researched.

Our presentation will share findings on how students developed feedback literacy to enhance their professional skills. Overall, the data suggests that students had largely positive experiences with the research project, reporting improved confidence and comfort in giving and receiving feedback. Through video-based simulation exercises, students also described increased motivation for acquiring communication and 'behavioral skills' foundational to caring professions (Murphy, Nestel & Gormley, 2019), as well as more technical skills related to their disciplines.

A challenge in the field of feedback literacy is documenting its development as a skill. Our study observed students becoming more comfortable with feedback literacy as a dialogic process, though it is difficult to definitively say if their feedback literacy skills were enhanced. By capturing students' experiences and perceptions of the digital platform and feedback cycles, we contribute to the study of feedback literacy by highlighting the potentialities and limitations of digital approaches, and what they can offer higher education practitioners.

The project is led by a team across four different disciplines, including:

• Dr. Stephanie McMahon (School of Education, Learning Lab)
• Dr. Katherine McLay (School of Education)
• Associate Professor Kelly Matthews (ITaLI)
• Associate Professor Martin Sale (School of Rehabilitation Science)
• Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak (School of Rehabilitation Science)
• Dr. Sobia Zafar (School of Dentistry)
• Dr. Christy Noble (Faculty of Medicine)
• Associate Professor Wendy Findlay (Faculty of Medicine).

Main Presenters at the Event:

• Associate Professor Garth Stahl, School of Education
• Glenys Oberg, HDR Scholar, School of Education
• Kirsten Fairbairn, HDR Scholar, School of Education.

Who should attend

Staff or researchers, Industry.

Location

Room 273, Global Change Institute (20), St Lucia campus.