Feedback is integral to effective and efficient teaching and learning (Gibbs and Simpson 2004). This paper will explore the use if technology in providing feedback by examining two separate yet complementary developments at Sheffield Hallam University to enhance the way feedback can be provided to students through the institution's virtual learning environment Blackboard and summarise initial findings from ongoing research into the use of both developments. These improvements are helping to address issues in response to the 2006 and 2007 National Student Surveys in which students commented that feedback provided on their assessments is often not quick enough and does not always clarify things they do not understand (Sheffield Hallam University 2008).
