For effective feedback, it is essential that instructors do what?

Providing constructive and timely feedback is critical for effective communication and growth in an educational setting. Constructive feedback is focused on specific behaviors or actions, highlighting areas for improvement while also acknowledging strengths. This type of feedback helps learners understand what they are doing well, what needs adjustment, and how they can make those changes.

Timeliness is equally important because feedback that is given promptly after an activity or performance allows learners to connect the comments with their actions while the experience is still fresh in their minds. This increases the likelihood of the feedback being understood and applied effectively.

In contrast, simply limiting criticism and focusing on positives does not offer a comprehensive view that can promote improvement. Personal opinions may lack the objectivity needed for effective feedback and can confuse students about what is genuinely relevant to their development. Evaluating solely on performance metrics can neglect qualitative aspects of learning and personal growth—these metrics do not capture the full range of a learner's abilities or the context of their performance.