Education Research Reading Room ERRR #106. Lissie Doyle on Test Feedback that Makes Students Think
Sep 16, 2025
Lissie Doyle, Head of Health and Physical Education at Cardinia International College, shares her journey towards evidence-informed classroom practices. She highlights her innovative MARKS/DARKS system, designed to empower students through thoughtful feedback. Lissie discusses the shift from traditional feedback methods, emphasizing ownership and emotional engagement. She also shares effective strategies for using student examples and exemplars across various subjects. Her enthusiasm for instructional coaching underscores her commitment to enhancing educational outcomes and student motivation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Give Students Ownership With A Simple Code
- Use a concise error-code system (DARKS) to classify why students lost marks on tests.
- Give students the marking scheme and train them to self-mark using exemplars so feedback becomes ownership, not an instructor monologue.
Cleaner Marking Cuts Emotion And Workload
- DARKS reduces teacher emotion and workload because marking becomes the mechanical recording of missing components.
- The system also forces teachers to write clearer questions and marking guides, improving assessment quality.
Three-Document Test Handback Routine
- Hand back three documents: the student's unannotated test, a marking-scheme booklet with worked solutions and exemplars, and a three-column sheet for Student A, Student B and self-marking.
- Require students to mark two exemplars and their own paper before receiving a confirmed score from you.