Feedback: The Feedback Game

Brief description

The aim of the feedback game is to scaffold the peer feedback situation for the students so they learn to give each other relevant feedback and keep their focus on the feedback process. The game can be used by the students both inside and outside the classroom.

Motivation for the activity and required outcome

The feedback game is used to stage the peer feedback process so its rules and focus are made explicit for the students. This includes listening with an open mind to the feedback received, instead of apologising for your work. The game also gives the students a more professional relationship with their own texts and reduces their fear of presenting and working with unfinished texts. By practising the process and the relevant academic approach, the students will learn in time to give peer feedback without the assistance of the game.

Performing the activity

Teachers should prepare by reading the rules of the game and the way it is organised.
Divide the students into groups of four, who should then split their assignments between them for a day or two before playing the game. They need to learn how to read assignments thoroughly. This involves taking notes while reading them the first time, then structuring and expanding on these notes the second time they read assignments. The students must also read the instructions for the game before starting.
On the day the game is played, teachers must allow for the time it takes to play the game (see page 8 of the instructions), plus the time it takes to cut out and assemble the game in each group. You should allow at least one hour for the game itself, plus half an hour to recap on the rules and assemble the game.
To assemble the game you will need scissors, glue and printed copies of the board and cards, as well as the assembly instructions.
Once the game has been assembled, it can be used again in future. So you need to decide whether you want to collect the cards at the end of the game, or whether the students should take a copy home with them.
Play the game as shown in the instructions.

Variation options:

It may be an advantage to divide the students into groups based on factors which are not related to their topic – for instance groups based on the challenges they are facing. If you choose this option, you should read the assignments before forming the groups. It is important that the version of the assignments used is as recent as possible. So we recommend that the assignments are sent to you two days before playing the game. You should read the assignments on the day you receive them, make the groups, and inform the students which groups they are in. This gives the students one day to read each other’s assignments.
There is a physical version of the game, which you can borrow from Anders Hjortskov Larsen.

You will need:

You can borrow the feedback game at CED (contact the secretariat)
You can also download and print the danish boardgame. For this you'll need scissors, glue ect.

Useful tips:

What should be your role as a lecturer when the students play?
Do you just want to keep track of the time or move around between the students and help them on their way in the feedback process?

Peer feedback with the feedback game

Here is a concrete example of how a teacher has used the activity in practice.

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Revised 16.04.2026

AU Educate