FeedForward

Instructor Guide

Table of contents

Overview

Welcome to the FeedForward Instructor Guide. As an instructor, you can create courses, design assignments with custom rubrics, invite students, and manage AI-generated feedback to enhance student learning. This guide covers all the features and workflows available to you.

Getting Started as an Instructor

First Steps

  1. Log in with your instructor credentials
  2. Complete your profile with department and contact information
  3. Create your first course
  4. Design an assignment with a rubric
  5. Invite students to join your course
  6. Review AI feedback as students submit work

Your Role in FeedForward

As an instructor, you: - Design Learning Experiences: Create assignments that promote iterative improvement - Set Evaluation Criteria: Build rubrics that guide AI feedback generation - Manage Students: Invite and support students in your courses - Quality Control: Review and approve AI-generated feedback before release - Track Progress: Monitor student improvement across drafts

Key Features

📚 Course Management

  • Create and organize multiple courses
  • Set course details and descriptions
  • Manage course lifecycle (active/archived)
  • Control student access and enrollment

📝 Assignment Creation

  • Design assignments with clear instructions
  • Set submission parameters (file types, drafts allowed)
  • Configure due dates and availability
  • Link rubric templates for consistent evaluation

📊 Rubric Design

  • Create reusable rubric templates
  • Define evaluation criteria and weights
  • Set performance levels and descriptors
  • Ensure alignment with learning objectives

🤖 AI Configuration

  • Select from available AI models
  • Configure number of evaluation runs
  • Choose aggregation methods
  • Set feedback parameters

👥 Student Management

  • Invite students via email
  • Bulk import from CSV files
  • Track student participation
  • Monitor submission status

✍️ Feedback Review

  • Review AI-generated feedback before release
  • Edit and enhance feedback as needed
  • Approve or request regeneration
  • Add personal comments

📈 Analytics & Progress

  • Track student improvement over drafts
  • View class-wide performance trends
  • Export data for further analysis
  • Generate progress reports

Instructor Dashboard

When you log in, you'll see your personalized dashboard with:

Quick Stats

  • Active courses
  • Pending feedback reviews
  • Recent submissions
  • Upcoming due dates
  • My Courses: View and manage all your courses
  • Assignments: Quick access to all assignments
  • Rubric Templates: Create and manage rubrics
  • Students: Overview of all enrolled students
  • Analytics: Performance and usage data

Recent Activity

  • Latest student submissions
  • Feedback awaiting review
  • Student questions or issues
  • System announcements

Common Workflows

Creating Your First Course

  1. Click "Create New Course" from dashboard
  2. Enter course information: - Course name and code - Description and objectives - Term/semester
  3. Save and proceed to add assignments

Building an Effective Assignment

  1. Navigate to your course
  2. Click "Create Assignment"
  3. Provide clear instructions
  4. Select or create a rubric
  5. Configure AI settings
  6. Set submission parameters

Inviting Students

  1. Go to course management
  2. Choose "Invite Students"
  3. Select method: - Individual email invites - CSV bulk upload - Share invitation link
  4. Monitor acceptance status

Reviewing AI Feedback

  1. Access "Pending Reviews"
  2. Read student submission
  3. Review AI-generated feedback
  4. Options: - Approve as-is - Edit before approval - Request regeneration - Add personal notes

Best Practices

Course Design

  • Start with clear learning objectives
  • Create assignments that build on each other
  • Allow multiple drafts for improvement
  • Provide timely feedback release

Rubric Creation

  • Use specific, measurable criteria
  • Avoid subjective language
  • Include both strengths and improvements
  • Align with course objectives

AI Model Selection

  • Choose models based on assignment type
  • Use multiple models for perspective
  • Configure appropriate parameters
  • Monitor feedback quality

Student Communication

  • Set clear expectations early
  • Explain the AI feedback process
  • Encourage draft submissions
  • Provide additional human insight

Feedback Management

  • Review feedback promptly
  • Maintain consistency across students
  • Add personal touches when needed
  • Use feedback to inform teaching

Tips for Success

🎯 Start Simple

Begin with one assignment and a basic rubric. Expand as you become comfortable with the system.

🔄 Iterate and Improve

Use student outcomes to refine your rubrics and AI configurations for better results.

💬 Communicate Clearly

Help students understand that AI feedback supplements, not replaces, your expertise.

📊 Use Analytics

Review performance data to identify areas where students struggle and adjust instruction.

🤝 Collaborate

Share successful rubric templates with colleagues in your department.

Common Questions

How many AI models should I use? Start with 2-3 models for diverse perspectives. More isn't always better.

Can students see feedback immediately? No, all feedback requires instructor approval before students can view it.

What if I disagree with AI feedback? You have full control to edit, override, or regenerate any feedback.

How do I handle technical issues? Contact your system administrator or check the troubleshooting guide.

Can I reuse rubrics across courses? Yes, rubric templates can be shared across all your courses.

Getting Help

Resources

  • Quick Start Videos: Visual guides for common tasks
  • Sample Rubrics: Examples from various disciplines
  • Best Practices Guide: Detailed recommendations
  • FAQ Section: Answers to common questions

Support Channels

  • Help Desk: Contact your institution's support
  • Documentation: Comprehensive guides for all features
  • Community Forum: Connect with other instructors
  • Training Sessions: Regular workshops available

Next Steps

Explore the detailed guides for each area:

  1. Course Management - Creating and managing courses
  2. Assignments - Designing effective assignments
  3. Rubrics - Building evaluation criteria
  4. Student Invites - Enrollment management
  5. Feedback Review - Quality control process
  6. Analytics - Using data to improve
Remember: FeedForward is designed to enhance, not replace, your teaching. Use AI-generated feedback as a starting point and add your expertise to create meaningful learning experiences.
New features are regularly added. Check the announcements section for updates and improvements.