What is Selective Feedback?
Selective Feedback is an approach that maximizes educational effectiveness by focusing on specific errors or aspects rather than pointing out all mistakes in a learner’s English composition at once.
Key Features of Selective Feedback
Basic Concept
– Targets the most important errors and patterns based on the learner’s current proficiency level and developmental stage
-Prevents overwhelming students by avoiding correction of all errors simultaneously
Limits information to digestible amounts to promote effective learning
Selection Criteria
– Learning Stage: Focuses on grammar points or expressions currently being studied
– Error Severity: Prioritizes significant errors that hinder communication
– Recurring Patterns: Addresses fundamental misunderstandings by identifying repeated errors
– Learning Objectives: Prioritizes aspects related to lesson goals or unit focus
Practical Examples
– For beginners, focus on basic grammar (tense, word order, etc.) while temporarily ignoring unnatural advanced expressions
– For intermediate learners, dedicate periods to focus on paragraph structure and cohesion
– After studying specific units (e.g., conditional forms), pay special attention to errors related to those items
Educational Basis
– Cognitive Load Theory: Learners have limited information processing capacity; excessive information impedes effective learning
– Scaffolding: Promoting effective learning by focusing on challenges slightly beyond the learner’s current level
– Motivation: Preventing frustration from having all errors pointed out and allowing students to experience steady progress
Writing Processor implements this selective feedback by analyzing students’ English compositions through the system. It supports personalized instruction tailored to each student’s learning stage and goals. For example, it can intensively check specific grammar points or identify only communication-critical errors.
