Development of the Teacher Feedback Observation Scheme: evaluating the quality of feedback in peer groups

Abstract

Research suggests that feedback is an essential element in learning. This study focuses on feedback that teachers provide in reciprocal peer groups to improve their performance in the classroom. The Teacher Feedback Observation Scheme (TFOS) was developed to identify feedback patterns, which approaches feedback as a multidimensional process. The TFOS helps acquire insights into the effectiveness of feedback, and provides information regarding the situations in which possible interventions can be undertaken if feedback is declining and becoming ineffective. This may especially be necessary when the communication of feedback is mediated by information and communications technology (ICT). The TFOS was piloted using videotaped sessions of three face-to-face groups, as well as one virtual group, using discussion wikis. All four groups of teachers used the Video Intervision Peer-coaching (VIP) procedure. The findings reveal that feedback in the virtual group was less effective than it was in the face-to-face groups. In addition, ineffective feedback patterns in the face-to-face groups transitioned into more effective feedback patterns. The TFOS appears to be adept at identifying feedback patterns in peer groups.