FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Assessment and CritiqueHard
During a postflight debrief, an instructor tells a student, 'Your preflight inspection was very thorough. However, you consistently forgot to check the fuel caps for security, which is a safety concern. On the positive side, your engine start and taxi procedures were excellent.' This critique technique, placing a corrective comment between two positive remarks, is known as...
- AThe sandwich method
- BNorm-referenced critique
- CFormative critique
- DThe halo effect
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The sandwich method
The sandwich method places corrective or negative feedback between two positive statements to soften its impact and keep the student receptive to improvement. This is a deliberate critique technique, unlike the halo effect, which is an unintentional grading bias.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Norm-referenced critique is not a recognized critique technique; norm-referencing applies to test scoring.
- C. Formative critique refers to ongoing feedback during training, not this specific structural technique.
- D. The halo effect is an unintentional bias where one trait influences overall judgment, not a structured critique technique.
Sandwich Method
A critique technique that places a corrective comment between two positive statements to make feedback easier for the student to accept.
- Helps maintain student motivation and receptiveness
- Should still be honest and specific, not overly softened
- Contrasts with the halo effect, which is an unintended bias
Memory trick: Sandwich the sting between two slices of praise.