There are many factors that can contribute to improving the learning experiences of students. Those that are of interest here include: formative assessment and the process of providing feedback and its similarity to the software development review process. Based on Scriven's original definition of formative evaluation involving a product, a developmental agency and a feedback loop, four feedback loops are suggested: judicious teacher/responsive student; advisory teacher/judicious student; judicious peer/responsive student; and self- determining student. The use of the feedback loops revealed some strengths and weaknesses of each.

Keywords: feedback, formative assessment, software quality assurance