Hi Phil, Please explain the difference.
I don't mind taking up the challenge on Phil's behalf as I feel quite strongly there is a subtle, but definite difference...
Feedback "the transmission of evaluative or corrective information about an action, event, or process to the original or controlling source" – Merriem-Webster.com
"information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement." – Oxford dictionaries.com
Opinion"a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter." – Merriam-Webster.com
"a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert" – Merriam-Webster.com
"a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge." – Oxford dictionaries.com
So, it would seem, the two are very similar, but I do detect a slight difference in the way the
American Merriam-Webster dictionary defines them compared to the
British Oxford dictionary definitions and perhaps this is the basis of confusion; yet again, divided by a common language (something I know all to much about, being a Canadian who taught in England for three years!)
Overall, however, the concept of feedback seems to imply a certain level of helpfulness towards improvement, rather than simply a statement of good or bad, a judgement.
I found this helpful as an explanation of the difference between opinion and feedback
on a life coach blog. By no means is it necessarily authoritative, but it certainly puts the meaning of the two terms into perspective.
As an educator working with youth and adult learners, I find people respond much better to feedback that helps them develop their knowledge, understanding and skills, rather than simply judging their work for what it is. Our goal in education is not to simply judge where a student is at, but give them the tools, assistance and feedback to help them become something more. So, amazingly, we've gone away from marks (a judgement) in favour of feedback that will directly help a student towards achieving the next level. Many do not understand the difference and simply want the world to be the same as when they grew up, but, believe it or not, there are more positive ways to encourage progress whether it's geography or photography.
I found this definition of feedback and it might just fit the situation we have ourselves in with this forum thread (from Merriem-Webster.com):
"a rumbling, whining, or whistling sound resulting from an amplified or broadcast signal (such as music or speech) that has been returned as input and retransmitted".
Oh, and Russ, I hope you've managed to find some of the photos I've posted here over the years – many of which are unapologetically "tourist pictures". In the future, please try not to confuse me with that forum troll who had all the answers but never posted a single photo (I can't remember his name).