What is the impact of feedback timing on assessment effectiveness?

Timely feedback significantly enhances assessment effectiveness because it allows individuals to make immediate corrections based on their performance. When feedback is provided soon after an assessment task or activity, learners can quickly reflect on their actions and understand their mistakes. This immediate form of corrective action helps reinforce learning and improve skill acquisition, as it encourages students to apply the feedback right away while the context of their actions is still fresh in their minds.

In educational settings, timely feedback fosters a growth mindset, allowing learners to see feedback as a constructive part of their learning journey rather than a critique. Additionally, this type of feedback can motivate students and increase engagement, as they can observe their progress and understand how to enhance their performance going forward.