What kind of feedback is considered most beneficial for students in the early stages of learning?

Prescriptive feedback is particularly beneficial for students in the early stages of learning because it provides specific and actionable guidance on how they can improve their skills or understanding. This type of feedback highlights particular areas where the student needs to focus and suggests concrete steps to take, enabling learners to make targeted adjustments to their performance.

In the early stages of learning, students often require clear direction and practical strategies to build their confidence and competence. Prescriptive feedback helps strip away ambiguity, allowing students to understand precisely what changes they need to make. It empowers them to practice specific aspects of their technique or approach, which is essential for developing foundational skills effectively.

Other types of feedback, while valuable in their own right, may not serve the needs of early learners as directly. Descriptive feedback provides information about what the learner is doing but may lack the explicit recommendation necessary for beginners who might not yet know how to apply that feedback. Summative feedback, which evaluates a learner's performance at the end of a period, may not contribute to immediate learning and improvement, as it doesn't help students understand how to enhance their skills while they are still practicing. Reflective feedback encourages self-analysis and deeper thinking but may be too abstract for those who need specific instructions to navigate their initial learning curve successfully