Having ready-made strengths and targets on hand gives you a scaffold you can use to speed up and streamline your feedback.

When we assess learner work, we judge it against a set of criteria. Either ones we have in our minds, or that are externally available, like a mark-scheme.

The tricky bit comes after. Formulating feedback that takes account of where learners have successfully hit the criteria, and what they need to do to improve.

This is an act of synthesis (hence the word ‘formulate’) and therefore more demanding than lower order cognitive processes.

A ready-made set of strengths and/or targets means much of the synthesis has been done already.

This frees up space in your mind, speeding up the process.

You simply look at your strengths and/or target banks, select relevant items and turn these into your feedback, tweaking and personalising as you go.

Here is a bank of twenty ready-made strengths covering the topic of working with others.

You can find 180 more, along with 200 ready-made targets, at the Assessment for Learning Knowledge Base.

Enjoy!

Twenty Ready-Made Strengths: Working with Others

1. I can see from your work in class that you are supportive of those around you. This is excellent as it demonstrates a concern for others as well as an understanding of how to help them.
2. You have continually supported the members of the class with whom you have been working. This is a strong attribute to have and one you should keep using.
3. Your work in groups this term has helped other members of the class to learn. This is to your credit.
4. The contributions you make in class help others to learn by giving them an insight into your thinking. Keep it up.
5. You have displayed great leadership skills in class. You are prepared to step forward and take charge of tasks and to help others achieve their best.
6. There have been a number of occasions where you have led the learning in class. This has come when we have worked in groups, as well as during whole-class discussions.
7. You have displayed a real talent for collaborating with others. This has been evident from the work you have helped to create when part of a group.
8. It is clear that you understand what is necessary for successful collaboration. Throughout the term, you have helped the groups of which you have been a member to create some excellent pieces of work .
9. When you are engaged in group work it is clear that you listen carefully to the thoughts of others. This demonstrates a great deal of respect and is an important prerequisite for successful collaboration.
10. Your listening skills when working with others are excellent. I have noted a number of times where you have helped your group to understand one another’s points by listening carefully and then explaining the various views that have been shared.
11. It is clear from your writing that you give due consideration to other people’s views. This is good because it creates more balanced work.
12. There are a number of points where it is clear you have taken on board what other people have said. This is good because it shows you are thinking carefully about your own arguments and how to develop them.
13. You are not afraid to put forward your views and to hold your ground if others do not agree with you. This is an excellent ability to have as it shows independence and confidence.
14. I have noted a number of occasions where you have put forward views that others in the class do not share. It is excellent that you are prepared to stand up for your beliefs and try to persuade others that they are right.
15. You take time in lessons to keep others on track and focussed. This comes from your positive attitude towards learning and your desire to help others. Well done.
16. When those around you lose focus you are quick to pull them back on track. This is of great benefit to their learning and reflects well on your own character.
17. You exert a positive influence on learners with whom you work. This stems from your desire to do well and to engage positively with the learning.
18. When working in groups you act as a positive influence on your peers, directing them toward the learning and the task in hand.
19. I have been pleased to see you guiding other learners in how to go about the work. It is to your credit that you are using your knowledge and understanding to help other people to learn.
20. I have been delighted with your support as a leader of learning/student teacher/expert helper this term. Well done for using your grasp of the topic to help others.