The Power of Positive Feedback

There are many different ways teachers and tutors can affect students’ experiences in the classroom and their ability to learn. One influential practice for improving students’ learning is the use of positive feedback. Students are constantly adjusting their learning style based on feedback from educators, parents, and classmates. According to Câmpean et al. (2024), positive feedback is a “deliberate and tactical form of praise that accentuates the specific abilities of each learner” (paragraph 4). We’ll examine the benefits of positive feedback, how to give it, and some examples.

Let’s explore why an educator would want to focus on positive feedback, as there are many benefits. The first advantage of positive feedback is that it builds student confidence and increases their sense of accomplishment. By pointing out what a student has already achieved, it makes the student feel good and reduces their anxiety. Positive feedback can remind students of how rewarding it feels to work hard and accomplish something. Another benefit of positive reinforcement is that it reinforces desirable behavior rather than punishing undesirable behavior. According to Stump et al. (2009), positive feedback is the stimulus or trigger for students developing productive values about their learning style and efforts. This helps students develop a growth mindset, which is “the belief that intelligence and skills can be developed through engagement and hard work” (Câmpean et al., 2024). When students believe they can improve their knowledge and abilities in this way, they are much more likely to become independent learners who need less guidance overall.

There are many different ways that educators can give positive feedback to students. The general idea is to recognize and point out when a student is showing effort, improving their academic skills, or using problem-solving skills. It’s also a great idea to praise behavioral skills like students communicating well, working in a group, or persevering through difficult situations. Feedback should be specific and sincere. Avoid giving praise that is too generic or could apply to any student, as it won’t be as meaningful or beneficial. One example of positive feedback would be pulling a student aside after class and saying, “I loved seeing you participate in our group discussion today. Your contributions added a lot to the class and introduced some ideas that the rest of the group hadn’t considered. Keep it up!”

According to current research, the power of positive feedback on students is significant. Positive feedback from educators can change a student’s mindset by pointing out success, improving motivation, reinforcing positive behaviors, and encouraging a growth mindset. Teachers and tutors should give specific and sincere feedback to students on a regular basis. The result is students who are more independent, resilient, and flexible.

Reference List

Câmpean, A., Bocoș, M., Roman, A., Rad, D., Crișan, C., Maier, M., Tăușan-Crișan, L., Triff, Z., Triff, D.-G., Mara, D., Mara, E.-L., Răduț-Taciu, R., Todor, I., Baciu, C., Neacșu, M.-G., Dumitru, I., Colareza, C. C., & Roman, C. E. (2024). Examining teachers’ perception on the impact of positive feedback on school students. Education Sciences, 14(3), 257. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030257

Stump, G., Husman, J., Chung, W.-T., & Done, A. (2009). Student beliefs about intelligence: Relationship to learning. 2009 39th IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, San Antonio, TX, USA, pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2009.5350426

Why Winter Is the Best Time to Start Tutoring

Discover how the winter months offer a perfect opportunity for students to get ahead.

Winter is a unique time during the school year: the fall semester is ending and the spring semester is just starting. This makes it a great time to evaluate how your student did at the beginning of the year while still giving enough time to turn their grades around before the end of the year. Tutors can help evaluate students’ strengths and weaknesses and have the tools and knowledge to help students improve. Tutors working one-on-one with students can pick up on their study habits, effort levels, and understanding of key concepts to fill in the missing gaps in their instruction while helping a student balance the new assignments, projects, and finals that seem to pile up in the spring.

Choosing to start preparation for standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT, is a wise decision for students who have a good handle on their day-to-day schoolwork. Some states and school districts provide these tests for free for public school students (usually during their junior year). Other school districts may waive the entrance fees for their students. Why not take advantage by working with a tutor to help maximize the opportunity? In addition to the college entrance exams, AP tests are also administered in the spring, so getting a head start on the content for students’ AP classes will not only help them possibly test out of an entry level college course, but set them up to do well in the class itself. Tutors who specialize in these tests know the timing and content to help your student do well. Starting in the winter can give students a head start in preparing for the exams.

Because the spring semester is just starting or about to start, many families don’t jump at the opportunity of having a tutor work with their students. As a result, most families wait until spring to start tutoring if their student is struggling. Tutors may get booked up, leading to your student missing out on the help they need. By starting early, students are staying on top of the class concepts, preventing them from falling behind and scrambling to find help.

With the structure and guidance of a tutor, students can gain confidence, boost grades, and head into spring ready to succeed.

Get the Most out of Tutoring Sessions with these Tips

Tutoring can be very beneficial and help students get back on track, increase confidence, and achieve their academic goals. However, tutoring success depends on student engagement, commitment, and preparation. (In other words, accountability!) Here are a few tips and guidelines to help students get the most out of their tutoring sessions…

Bring Something!

Bring homework, a review sheet for a test, or even an already-graded assignment. If your tutor knows what you need to work on, you will get much more out of your session. If you have nothing to bring, at least have a topic in mind. Our tutors can find practice material for the session, but only if they know what you need to study!

Be Accountable. Put in the Work Before, During, and After Your Session

Tutoring is not a replacement for self-study, it is supplementary. Studying on your own before your session will help you to better understand your weaknesses. THis helps you to know what you don’t know, enabling you to ask productive questions and get the most out of your tutoring sessions. Actively participating during tutoring sessions is very important. Ask questions when you don’t understand something! Don’t be afraid to make a mistake in front of your tutor. Nobody is perfect.

Your tutor understands that you don’t know everything yet. Tutors want to see where you are making mistakes so they can help you to fix them. If your tutor asks you to explain your thought process during a problem, they aren’t judging you, they just want to help. After your tutoring session is over, you should continue to apply what you have learned. Make sure to complete any homework assigned by your tutor. If you find that there is something you still don’t understand, make a note of that and ask your tutor about it at your next session.

Define a Clear Goal for Each Tutoring Session

What is your goal for the tutoring session? Having a clear understanding of what you need to accomplish during your session is extremely helpful to you and the tutor, and helps to make the session productive. It also puts the student in the right frame of mind for the session. The goal should be clear – gaining a complete understanding of a specific topic for an upcoming assignment, prioritizing three topics that need to be reviewed before Friday’s exam, etc. THis gets back to the student taking some ownership and “putting some skin in the game,” which contributes to an overall successful tutoring engagement.

Avoid the Fire Drill – Consider Tutoring Before the Situation Becomes an Emergency

If you or your child is beginning to struggle ina class, or even expects that they may struggle, starting regular tutoring as early as possible is a must. Starting tutoring early is an effective, proactive way to help students keep up in class and remain on-track. A late semester attempt to bring a bad grade up to an A, B, or even a C, is the equivalent of throwing a “Hail Mary,” and is very difficult. Our most successful students are the students who come in regularly over the course of an entire semester.We can help to cram for a test, but we find that your results will be much better if you have been working to understand the material – through disciplined study and tutoring – consistently throughout the semester.

Tutoring Success Story – A Journey to Math Confidence

A student’s success is always good to celebrate… those “light bulb” moments that spark a new attitude and path to proficiency are worth sharing. We hope you enjoy this one!

I’m Miss C, a dedicated math tutor with a profound commitment to helping students unlock their potential in Mathematics. My love for math is so strong that I pursued a bachelor’s degree in the subject, and now devote myself to guiding others to approach math with confidence and curiosity.

Today, I’d like to share a success story that holds a special place in my heart. It’s the story of Molly, a spirited 5th grader who came to me weighed down by her struggles with math. For Molly, math wasn’t just a subject – it was a source of anxiety and frustration.

In our introductory session, Molly was enthusiastic and full of life, eagerly sharing all her favorite things with a bright smile. But the moment we transitioned into math questions, her energy dropped. She became silent, visibly frustrated, and even angry with herself. I could sense the shift immediately — the weight that math placed on her young shoulders.

Her initial responses often included outbursts of “I can’t do this” and self-criticism, or sometimes complete silence, showing that she had almost given up on herself. Despite this, I could see the potential in her, the spark that just needed the right support to flourish. My focus in those first few sessions was on building trust and creating a safe space where she could face her fears and frustrations without judgment.

Once Molly and I built trust, we started with the basics, identifying her weaknesses through a series of diagnostic tests. This allowed me to set up a targeted skills plan, breaking down concepts into manageable steps she could connect with. Knowing she loved baking, I tried my best to relate every equation to ingredient measurements, fractions, and recipe equations, making math feel relevant to her dreams of one day becoming a baker in Paris.

Each session became a stepping stone, and we celebrated every small victory. I made sure to acknowledge each success, reminding Molly of her progress and helping to rebuild her belief in herself.

Consistency was key in Molly’s journey, and her parents played a crucial role, ensuring she made it to each and every session because they believed in her potential. Progress wasn’t always linear—there were bumps along the way, and it didn’t happen overnight. But with dedication, Molly’s math skills steadily strengthened. Like I always say, “math is practice, practice, practice,” and together, we made that practice something she looked forward to.

I set small, achievable goals for Molly, encouraging her to take ownership of her learning. These goals allowed her to practice even outside our sessions, building her skills bit by bit. Week by week, I saw her become more comfortable, more determined, and more resilient. Her spark was truly reignited—she was not just catching up in math, but starting to genuinely enjoy it.

Today, Molly is keeping up with her class—a remarkable change for the student who was once falling far behind. She’s now able to participate alongside her classmates, confidently answering questions and engaging in discussions. The confidence she’s gained hasn’t just stayed within our tutoring sessions; it’s extended into her school life and beyond.

The subject that once filled her with dread has become something she tackles with a “can-do” spirit. Her progress is a powerful testament to what consistent support, patience, and practice can achieve. Watching her growth has shown me how impactful it is when a student believes in themselves—not only in math, but in every aspect of life. Molly’s journey is proof that with the right support, any student can overcome challenges and thrive.

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