EL Chair

Hi Donna,

Thank you so much for your question. 

Learning, for the most part, is composed of linear learning sequences that build on previously acquired knowledge in preparation for learning new information and/or skills.  This is why it is important for feedback to be provided in a timely manner as the student is progressing through a lesson or module.  This way the student will have sufficient knowledge to be able to move to the next step in the course.  This format uses the laddering model as the basis for both feedback and learning.  

At times learning when learning units such as modules have different time frames for completion, it is important to look at the content of each module that is being studied and then determine when feedback needs to be provided.  Sometimes the students will need feedback in relation to the beginning sections of a module to make sure the needed skills and knowledge have been acquired because these skills and knowledge will also be used in another module through which they are working.  The students can then apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge to successfully complete each of the modules in which they are enrolled, even though they have different timeframes for completion. An important consideration in providing feedback is to make sure it is timely, comprehensive, and student-specific.  This way your students will be able to apply the feedback in such a way that they are able to transfer what they have learned from the feedback to multiple settings. 

Donna Cole

So, hopefully in the case that prior units introducing skills needed for later units, there is a way to lock a module for a student until you have been able to give them feedback.  Something to look for when/if I am asked to teach a distance delivery course.