The Effect of Three Different Kinds of Feedback: Hint, Correct Answer, and Right/Wrong. IDD&E Working Paper No. 11.

Self-instructional booklets simulating computer-assisted instruction (CAI) were used to teach four basic concepts in science to first graders in three treatment groups which received different types of feedback--hints, correct answers, and right or wrong. A control group received neither instruction nor feedback. A multiple-choice test was administered to the 47 students in the 4 groups following completion of the instruction. It was found that the group provided with hints had the highest mean; the group provided with the correct answer had the second highest mean; the group provided with right/wrong feedback had the second lowest mean; and the control group had the lowest mean. The results were inconclusive with respect to the hypotheses as there were no significant differences among the group means. Possible causes are suggested in the discussion that concludes the report. A table summarizing the means and standard deviations, a flowchart showing the hypothesized model of relationships between different forms of feedback, and samples of generalities, practice items, and test items are provided. Lists of 12 references and 10 prior IDD&E working papers are also included. (Author/RP)