Last updated on Apr 29, 2025

How do you balance constructive criticism and praise in online feedback?

Giving online feedback to your students or peers can be challenging, especially when you want to be supportive and honest at the same time. How do you balance constructive criticism and praise in online feedback? In this article, we will share some tips and strategies to help you provide effective and meaningful feedback that motivates and improves learning.

1 Why feedback matters

Feedback is essential for learning, as it helps learners to identify their strengths and weaknesses, to monitor their progress, and to adjust their strategies accordingly. Feedback also influences learners' motivation, self-confidence, and engagement. However, feedback can have positive or negative effects, depending on how it is delivered, received, and used. Therefore, it is important to consider the purpose, content, tone, and timing of your feedback.

Add your perspective

Nafiza Akter, Ed.D.

Educator, Instructional Designer, and Technologist
Report contribution
Whether you're providing feedback to learners or peers, it's important to make it clear to the individual what, when, and how you'll provide that feedback. Unsolicited feedback is harder for the individual to truly hear and take in. I find it's helpful to have a rubric when providing feedback to learners; this ensures that equitable feedback is provided to all individuals. If you provide the rubrics to learners from the onset, they understand their requirements and your expectations better -- and are prepared for the feedback you'll eventually provide!

Like
Peter Ong

Helping Japanese and Mandarin learners to enhance their workplace communication for global business success. | HRD Corp Accredited Trainer
Report contribution
When I give or receive feedback online, I remind myself why feedback matters in the first place. Feedback is not just about pointing out what went wrong or offering compliments. It is about helping someone grow and get closer to their goals. In online settings where communication can sometimes feel distant, thoughtful feedback becomes even more important. It shows that I am engaged and that I respect the work someone put in. I view feedback as a way to build trust and motivation by being honest without being harsh. Balancing constructive criticism and praise helps create a space where people feel safe to take risks, learn, and improve without fear of judgment.

Like
Suresh George Ph.D

Academic Director. Transforming congenital penalties and barriers. One step at a time.
Report contribution
I also think that providing feedback to learners should come from an altruistic wellspring of academic good practice. This ensures that the provision of feedback is free of any bias.

Like

2 What to include in your feedback

Feedback should be specific, relevant, and actionable. This means that you should focus on the learning objectives, the criteria, and the evidence of performance, rather than on the person or the product. You should also provide clear guidance on how to improve, and suggest resources or examples that can help. Moreover, feedback should be balanced, meaning that you should highlight what was done well, and what needs improvement, without being too harsh or too vague.

Add your perspective

3 How to phrase your feedback

Feedback should be respectful, supportive, and empathetic. This means that you should use polite and positive language, avoid negative words or labels, and acknowledge the effort and progress of the learner. You should also use the sandwich technique, which consists of starting and ending your feedback with praise, and placing the criticism in between. This way, you can reinforce the learner's strengths, soften the impact of the criticism, and end on a positive note.

Add your perspective

4 How to deliver your feedback

Feedback should be timely, consistent, and interactive. This means that you should provide feedback as soon as possible, preferably within a week of the submission or the activity. You should also follow the same standards and expectations for all learners, and provide feedback on a regular basis. Moreover, feedback should be interactive, meaning that you should invite the learner to respond, ask questions, or seek clarification. This way, you can create a dialogue, check for understanding, and encourage reflection.

Add your perspective

5 How to receive feedback

Feedback should be welcomed, appreciated, and acted upon. This means that you should have an open and growth mindset, and view feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve, rather than as a judgment or a threat. You should also thank the feedback giver, and ask for more details or examples if needed. Moreover, feedback should be acted upon, meaning that you should review the feedback carefully, identify the main points, and plan how to implement the suggestions.

Add your perspective

Jennifer B.

Notary, Content Creator, and Education Consultant
Report contribution
Here's a piece of advice that's as old as time itself: control what you can control. I know it sounds like one of those generic motivational quotes your grandma has hanging on her fridge, but hear me out. In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, it's important to put your energy towards the things you actually have power over. You can't control the weather or whether your roommate decides to passive-aggressively leave the microwave dirty again, but you can control your reactions and actions towards these situations. Don't waste your precious brain cells stressing over something that's out of your hands. Instead, focus on being the best version of yourself and tackling whatever obstacles come your way with grace and determination.

Like

6 How to monitor feedback

Feedback should be tracked, evaluated, and revised. This means that you should keep a record of the feedback you give and receive, and use it to monitor your progress and performance. You should also evaluate the effectiveness and impact of your feedback, and seek feedback on your feedback from the learners or peers. Moreover, feedback should be revised, meaning that you should update or modify your feedback based on new information, evidence, or outcomes.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

How do you balance constructive criticism and praise in online feedback?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Why feedback matters

2 What to include in your feedback

3 How to phrase your feedback

4 How to deliver your feedback

5 How to receive feedback

6 How to monitor feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Distance Learning

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Distance Learning

More relevant reading