When should feedback be given to students during a lesson?

Providing feedback during practice opportunities is essential for enhancing student understanding and performance. Immediate feedback helps students recognize mistakes and make corrections in real-time, which reinforces their learning process. When students engage in practice activities, they are applying new skills or concepts, and timely feedback allows them to adjust their strategies, deepen their comprehension, and build confidence as they receive guidance to improve. This approach facilitates a dynamic learning environment where students can actively engage in their learning rather than waiting until later to understand how they can improve.

In contrast, giving feedback only at the end of the lesson can delay the learning process, as students miss the chance to correct errors while they are still relevant. Feedback provided at the beginning of the next lesson might also lead to confusion since students may not remember the specific context of their earlier performance. Additionally, limiting feedback to instances of unsuccessful lessons may discourage students, as they may feel singled out for criticism rather than supported in their learning journey. By focusing on practice opportunities, students benefit from ongoing support and encouragement as they develop their skills.