As a continuation of its approach to benefit from the experiences of staff members and transfer knowledge from different specializations, the College of Public Health and Health Informatics organized a scientific lecture titled, "Feedback to Students, New Concepts" on Monday 28^th Safar 1438H (28^th November 2016). The lecture was presented by Dr. Ahmad Abdullah Othman, the Assistant Professor at the Department of Health Education & Promotion, the College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU).   

The lecture was attended by Dr. Wahib bin Dokhailullah Al-Harbi, Dean of the College, Dr. Fadel Muhammad Banjar, Vice-Dean for Educational Affairs, along with the Heads of Departments and many staff members thereof.

Dr. Ahmad Othman demonstrated some definitions and concepts of feedback to students. He said that feedback meant enabling students to know their performance, as well as discussing with them the positive aspects and points of weakness that should be improved with regards to performance and conduct. He added that feedback should be a two-sided connection, information rather than judgment, and a reflection of objectivity.  The significance of feedback to students stems from the fact that it is an effective tool to reinforce educational output, guarantee standard reach, and help improve performance and self-respect; it is a mission to fulfill objectives and development. On the other hand, feedback is important for teachers, as it helps them know the best teaching practices, focus on specific areas when needed, and receive improvement suggestions.

Concerning how use feedback, it should be expected, rightly timed, to the point, and descriptive rather than judgmental. It should be sent as soon as possible, concentrate on a specific performance or conduct rather than personality, be given in small suitable portions, make sure that its message has been got and comprehended. Moreover, effective feedback requirements include sufficiency of time, evidence of objectives and output, direct connection and student observation, and good communication style.   

Dr. Othman presented also a number of contemporary and modern models of feedback such as Pendleton’s rules, Agenda Output-Based Analysis, Sandwich Technology, Six-Step Feedback Model, etc. He also mentioned some rules of setting feedback time and place.

At the end of the lecture, the attendees discussed some feedback-related issues such as the significance of feedback, its different concepts and ways, some of which existed among the activities of UQU and the College. Such activities involved "Student Guidance" which would be useful and effective when it was activated and implemented in the right way. Other feedback-related activities included avoiding personal criticism and following the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in anonymous direction. On the other hand, the attendees discussed the significance of feedback to teachers, the integrated and comprehensive "360 Degrees" way of feedback, the importance of self-motivation and attention by teachers and supervisors in the feedback process to reach effective influence, and the necessity of adopting the tolerable objective way in feedback.