Wise Feedback and UDL Strategies for Promoting Learner Agency
Most of us would agree that feedback can be a powerful teaching tool. When done thoughtfully, it’s much more than correcting mistakes—it’s about empowering students to see their potential and to promote a growth mindset. That’s where “wise feedback” comes in. Closely aligned with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) goal of creating learner agency, wise feedback encourages students by setting high expectations, offering actionable steps, and showing that you believe in their ability to succeed (CAST, 2024). It’s the kind of action-oriented feedback that helps students become what the UDL framework describes as “expert learners”—those who are purposeful, resourceful, and motivated (Thompson, 2024).
So, what does wise feedback look like in action?
Imagine you’re teaching a biology class, and a student submits a lab report on mitosis. Instead of just pointing out errors, you might say, “You’ve done a great job outlining the stages of mitosis! To take this further, let’s connect each stage to a real-world example—for instance, how errors in cell division might cause medical issues. I know you can add this extra layer of analysis!” This kind of feedback celebrates the student’s effort while gently pushing them to think more critically. Or, in a creative writing course, you could say, “Your story has a compelling plot! I’d love to see your protagonist’s emotions explored and developed a bit more. Why not try adding a scene where they face a personal challenge—it may make their journey even more relatable.”
Creating a Supporting Environment
Wise feedback also helps create a classroom environment where students feel supported and capable (Bose, 2020). It’s not just about what you say but how you say it. Phrasing like, “I’m giving you these suggestions because I know you’re capable of achieving great results,” can make a big difference. It shows you’re invested in the student’s growth. If you’re teaching a business class, for example, and critiquing a student’s marketing proposal, you might frame it like this: “This is a strong start! I know you’re capable of developing an even more targeted strategy. Let’s think about how to refine your audience profile to make it sharper.” Coupled with tools like rubrics or samples of exemplary work, this kind of feedback feels more actionable and less overwhelming (CAST, 2024).
Learner Agency
Finally, wise feedback encourages students to take the reins and reflect on their learning. In an art history course, for instance, you could ask students to review peer feedback on their visual analysis and create a short plan for improvement. Or in a math class, you could guide students to use a self-assessment checklist to track their progress based on your comments. The checklist might include questions like "Did I show my work clearly?" and "Did I communicate the reasoning behind each step of the solution path?” Students could then use your comments to identify areas where they can improve, such as explaining their reasoning more thoroughly or practicing a specific type of problem. These small actions build confidence and self-regulation, and help provide a strong foundation for future learning that will help students develop the skills they’ll need far beyond your course.