Crenças sobre feedback: um estudo com tutores e alunos em um curso de licenciatura em Letras Inglês a distância

Abstract

This research is the result of questions about the effects of feedback on the process of teaching and learning of a foreign language and the beliefs of teacher tutors and students about the role of feedback in a virtual learning environment (VLE). This research aimed to identify and analyze the beliefs of English language tutors about feedback in the educational context where they worked. We also aimed to identify the beliefs of students about feedback and how they felt when they were submitted to it, that is, what emotions they manifested under the teacher tutors’ intervention. Our research was based on the description and discussion of data following the qualitative paradigm. For the collection and interpretation of data, we used the following research tools: questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Since we also wanted to analyze the feedback strategies implemented by the tutors, discussion forums were analyzed in three disciplines of the English Language and Literature Course through distance modality (Parfor) from the Federal University of Uberlândia. Two teacher tutors and two students participated in the study. The data were analyzed in the light of studies on beliefs related to the teaching-learning process from Barcelos (2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2015), Miccoli (2010), Pajares (1992), Richards and Lockhart (1994 ), among others, and investigations on feedback in virtual teaching-learning contexts, according to Garrido (2005), Lima and Alves (2011), Ros I Solé and Truman (2005), Shute (2007), Paiva (2003), among others. Results indicated that the tutors’ beliefs generally coincide. The analysis of their beliefs, and the observation of their practices in the forums allowed us to realize that, in general, they acted in accordance to what they thought it was correct, that is, based on their beliefs. Furthermore, their beliefs reflected past experiences as English learner and teachers. Regarding the students, it was found that their beliefs about feedback were based on images formed during their educational trajectory. The data showed that the students requested and wanted to receive feedback, but when it did not meet their expectations, emotions of displeasure and discomfort were generated.