How to Give Students Critical Feedback Without Crushing Their Confidence

Praising a student is easy. Giving critical feedback can be much tougher. I mean, how can we call their attention to the things that don't sound great, while still building up their confidence? Are feedback sandwiches (praise-criticism-praise) the answer? Or do we just praise their efforts? Or compliment mediocre work anyway? A 2014 study provides some clues, and highlights one specific ingredient that is important to include in whatever feedback we give students, that could make them feel...