What is feedback and why is it important

Feedback is the information that a performer receives about their performance. It plays a crucial role in physical education by helping individuals assess the quality of their actions. This assessment allows them to identify strengths and areas for improvement in skills and techniques.

Feedback can be given during a performance, or after it ends. Without feedback, progress would be slower because individuals might not recognise what needs to change.

The main types of feedback

There are four main types of feedback: intrinsic, extrinsic, knowledge of performance, and knowledge of results. Each type provides different kinds of information, and they can overlap depending on the situation.

Intrinsic feedback

Intrinsic feedback is information that comes from within the performer. It relates to internal sensations, such as emotions, thoughts, and muscle feelings. For example, a gymnast might sense what it feels like to maintain balance during a routine. This type of feedback allows performers to judge their own movements based on bodily cues.

Extrinsic feedback

Extrinsic feedback is information that comes from an external source. Common sources include teachers, coaches, teammates, spectators, or family members. For instance, a coach might tell a swimmer to adjust their arm position. This feedback is especially valuable for beginners who lack the internal awareness to evaluate their performance.

Knowledge of results

Knowledge of results is a form of extrinsic feedback that focuses on the outcome of a performance. It involves knowing measurable results, such as a score, time, distance, or placement in a competition. For example, a runner learning their race time allows them to measure success against targets.

Knowledge of performance

Knowledge of performance involves analysing the quality of movement or technique execution. It can be either extrinsic, such as a coach commenting on footwork, or intrinsic, like a performer feeling an incorrect swing. This type helps refine how a skill is performed, rather than just the end result.

Feedback can also be positive, which highlights strengths to motivate and build confidence, or negative, which points out weaknesses to direct improvements.

The feedback loop and its role in improvement

The feedback loop is a cycle that shows how feedback contributes to better performances over time. It starts with performing an action, then moves through assessment and adjustment, leading back to improved efforts.

Stages of the feedback loop:

1. Perform the skill or technique in practice or competition.
2. Assess the performance through observation or self-reflection.
3. Receive feedback, either intrinsic or extrinsic, to identify what went well or needs change.
4. Correct, adjust, or practise based on the feedback.
5. Move to the next performance, where the cycle repeats with potentially better results.

This loop is essential for ongoing development. For beginners at the cognitive stage of learning – where they are just starting to understand movements – extrinsic feedback is key because they have not yet developed a 'feel' for the actions. In contrast, autonomous learners, who are experienced and skilled, rely more on intrinsic feedback to make quick, internal adjustments.

Advantages and disadvantages of different feedback types

Each type of feedback has its own strengths and limitations, which can affect how effectively it supports learning. These depend on the performer's experience level and the context of the activity.

Advantages and disadvantages of intrinsic feedback:

• Advantages - Available immediately, helps develop internal awareness, builds independence in self-assessment
• Disadvantages - May be unreliable for beginners, can be affected by emotions or fatigue, limited without experience

Advantages and disadvantages of extrinsic feedback:

• Advantages - Provides external perspective, essential for beginners, can offer technical expertise
• Disadvantages - May not always be available, can create dependency, might conflict with internal feelings

Advantages and disadvantages of knowledge of results:

• Advantages - Clear and measurable, motivating when targets are met, easy to understand
• Disadvantages - Doesn't explain how to improve technique, may focus too much on outcome rather than process

Advantages and disadvantages of knowledge of performance:

• Advantages - Focuses on technique improvement, helps refine skills, addresses the 'how' of performance
• Disadvantages - Can be complex for beginners to understand, requires expertise to provide effectively

Qualities of effective feedback

Good feedback should follow the "Three Fs" to maximise its impact: fast, focused, and factual. These qualities ensure that the information is useful and leads to real improvements.

The three Fs of good feedback:

• Fast - Given as soon after the performance as possible, so the performer can remember the details and apply changes quickly.
• Focused - Concentrated on key areas of concern or development, avoiding overload with too much information.
• Factual - Based on evidence, covering what was done well and areas for improvement, rather than just criticism.

By adhering to these qualities, feedback becomes more motivating and practical, helping performers build on strengths while addressing weaknesses effectively.