Learning from feedback

Ideally, feedback offers wonderful opportunities for improvement in the creative process. We get a sense of the effect of our creation on an  audience, we receive new perspectives on our approach, and we get  inspiration and encouragement for the work ahead. Everyone learns: the  person receiving feedback, the person giving feedback, and, in a group setting, those observing the process.

Giving and receiving feedback well is not easy, however. All too often, those giving feedback fall into judgment or giving advice, and  those receiving feedback become overwhelmed and defensive: we find it  hard not to take it personally. In an educational setting, feedback and  evaluation are usually mixed up, which leads to serious issues of openness and trust.

I have designed these feedback formats to break through our usual feedback patterns and to separate thinking from emotion. The formats  are artificial on purpose, so that they force us to formulate feedback  in a way which is helpful and enriching. These formats are based on and  adapted from existing feedback and thinking techniques.

This material was developed between 2009 and 2011 for peer learning processes at the Amsterdam Film Academy and the DAS Master of  Theatre programme of the Amsterdam University for the Arts. The best way  to get a sense of how the formats work in practice is to watch A film about feedback which chronicles group feedback sessions in Amsterdam and at the Theatre Festival in Goteborg, Sweden. (included as bonus lecture)

This online course consists of instruction videos for the formats and facilitator. I am making it available to encourage artists,  teachers and everyone else interested in group feedback. Feel free to  download and use the videos, powerpoint and handout in your own  sessions. The material is made available under a Creative Commons  attribution license, which means you can do it with what you want, as  long as you acknowledge its source. Please be aware that these formats  were developed specifically for group peer feedback sessions on work-in-progress – if your situation is different, you will need to  adapt them accordingly. Good luck!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!