The 3F Tango: Feed up, Feedback, Feedforward

I have been going to tango classes for two years. I’m still clumsy at tango but have learned much about feedback. Our tango teacher follows a precise sequence for the class:

1. She explains how to do the figure and executes it herself, setting a standard (feed up).
2. She asks us to execute and carefully observes how each partner does it, pointing out what is working well and what needs to be improved (feedback).
3. She dances with each class member, explaining how the figure should work when it would be appropriately solved at a more advanced level (feed-forward).

This three F’s model is precisely the cycle that the vast literature available on feedback in education and organizational settings points to as optimal: explain what I expect from you, comment constructively on how you are doing, and then guide you to do even better.

For the past few months, I have collaborated with my colleague Graciela Kasep on a research project about the FFF model, and it has significantly changed how I teach:

From Abatayo, J. (2020) Enhancing assessment literacy through feedback and feedforward

In this figure adapted from Hattie and Timperley, Junifer Abatayo explains the FFF stages:

1. Describe. Discuss the expected outcomes in detail with the counterpart (student, collaborator, etc.).