Today's guest post is written by B.R. Jones, a Visible Learning Trainer and the Superintendent of Tate County Schools in Mississippi. 

It often amazes me how long my nine-year old son will persevere at the newest video game. For hours he will battle against zombies, aliens, and the like, with zeal he will continue to face up to what would seem like insurmountable odds no matter how difficult the challenge might seem. On the flip side, trying to get him to sit for his homework is a nightly chore that neither his mom nor I cherish, yet we endure.

This led me to question just what is different between the video game challenge versus the challenge of learning that motivates my son to endure hours on end on the game and not be able to remain engaged with the typical homework assignment for more than five minutes?

The answer: feedback.

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