The Effects of a Comprehensive Feedback Component on the Preparation of Preservice Educators

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effects of a comprehensive feedback package on the preparation of preservice teachers. Twenty-four preservice teachers participated in an intensive training program that emphasized verbal feedback skills. Pre- and posttraining data were compared. After the training, the preservice teachers were placed in mainstreamed classrooms to determine the extent to which they were able to apply the feedback skills acquired in training. Data on verbal feedback provided by inservice and preservice teachers were collected in the classroom settings and, to investigate the effect of teacher verbal feedback on student responding, measures of student academic behavior were collected. The results indicate that the comprehensive package on feedback skills can be effective in preparing preservice teachers.