Nurture is built on decades of evidence about what makes feedback work — and on a research project commissioned with the pedagogy team at Learnovate, the EdTech Research & Design Centre in Trinity College Dublin.
What the research tells us about feedback
“Feedback is critical to improving learning as it both influences students’ motivation to learn and their ability to do so” (Hattie 1999). Our framework starts from that finding and builds on it.
In the research, we have found that “98% of students who receive individualised feedback perform better than those that don’t” (Bloom 1984). So we commissioned a research project with a pedagogy team at Learnovate, the EdTech Research & Design Centre in Trinity College Dublin.
This framework combines the best practice of teaching and learning with the efficiencies of digital learning — saving teachers time and simplifying the creation of high-quality formative feedback.
Good feedback does four things
At Nurture, we know that genuinely useful feedback shares a set of common characteristics.
Clarifies good practice
Good feedback makes clear what a strong piece of work looks like, so students understand the standard they are working towards.
Encourages interaction
It opens a dialogue between teacher and student rather than handing down a one-way verdict.
Facilitates self-assessment
It helps students judge the quality of their own work and take greater ownership of their learning.
Identifies next steps
It points to the specific actions a student should take next to close the gap and keep improving.
Why is formative the focus?
“Formative assessment represents evidence-based instructional decision making. If you want to become more instructionally effective, and if you want your students to achieve more, then formative assessment should be for you” (Popham 2008).
With 25 students to each teacher in an average class, the Nurture framework gives teachers a system for how to reach each student on a more personal level, without causing burnout. Our research-backed framework ensures that the feedback a student receives aligns with their individual learning goals.
We also help teachers delay the ego response by locking grades until student reflections are gathered. Research shows that delaying the ego response improves engagement with feedback. Developing metacognition can lead to a +7 month increase in attainment (EEF, 2022).
Using Hattie and Timperley’s model of effective feedback, we can increase student attainment by +6 months (EEF, 2022).
25
students to each teacher in an average class
98%
of students with individualised feedback perform better (Bloom 1984)
+7 months
attainment gain from developing metacognition (EEF, 2022)
+6 months
attainment gain using Hattie & Timperley’s feedback model (EEF, 2022)
“The most powerful single moderator that enhances achievement is feedback. The most simple prescription for improving education must be dollops of feedback. This does not mean using many tests and providing over-prescriptive directions. It means providing information how and why the student understands and misunderstands, and what directions the student must take to improve.”
The findings that shaped Nurture
We’ve been inspired and motivated by the findings of many influential researchers — and built them into how the platform works every day.
Feedback is the most powerful moderator of achievement
John Hattie identifies feedback as the single most powerful influence on student achievement — information on how and why a student understands or misunderstands, and what to do to improve. (Hattie, Influences on Student Learning)
98% of students perform better with individualised feedback
Bloom’s research found that students who receive individualised feedback outperform those who do not — the challenge has always been delivering it at scale. (Bloom 1984)
Delaying the ego response improves engagement
Nurture locks grades until student reflections are gathered. Research shows delaying the ego response improves the way students engage with their feedback. (Nurture framework)
Metacognition adds up to +7 months of attainment
Developing metacognition and self-regulation can lead to an additional +7 months of progress, according to the Education Endowment Foundation. (EEF, 2022)
Grounded in the work of Dylan Wiliam
“The only useful feedback is the feedback that’s used by students.”
Professor Dylan Wiliam · Nurture strategic advisor
Nurture is grounded in the work of our strategic advisor Professor Dylan Wiliam, the world’s leading authority on formative assessment — ensuring our framework is built on evidence and sound pedagogy.
Watch our webinars with Dylan →
Take the research further
Explore our school leader guides and eBooks to see how the evidence base behind Nurture translates into everyday classroom practice.
Download our eBook →Browse resources