Feedback Focus: A Tool for Evaluating and Reflecting on Instructor to Student Feedback Communication

A critical challenge in education is enabling instructors to provide adaptive and constructive written feedback that supports life-long learning and enhances communication with learners. Effective feedback not only influences student engagement but also drives their learning progression. Currently, instructors provide feedback on assessments without tools to analyze or adapt their feedback practices in response to learner needs. Addressing this gap is essential to fostering a dynamic, adaptive, and supportive learning environment. This paper introduces Feedback Focus (FeeFo), a software tool designed to help educators adapt their feedback practices by offering actionable insights through advanced dashboards. FeeFo collects and analyzes written feedback, enabling instructors to identify trends and refine their communication strategies across courses, assessments, and individual learners. By empowering educators to visualize and track feedback effectiveness (e.g., through sentiment, emotions, and grades), FeeFo facilitates informed decision-making, fostering a cycle of continuous improvement in teaching practices. By supporting adaptive teaching methods, FeeFo enhances instructor-student interaction and fosters life-long learning for both educators and students. For instructors, FeeFo provides a pathway to continually refine their feedback practices, helping them develop the skills needed to craft more impactful and constructive feedback over time. For students, the tool encourages life-long learning by ensuring the feedback they receive is constructive in nature, fostering a sense of support and progress. By promoting meaningful, adaptive communication, FeeFo empowers educators to inspire persistence and growth in their students while also advancing their own professional development in delivering effective feedback.