What type of learning does feedback primarily support?

Feedback primarily supports self-directed learning because it provides learners with specific information about their performance, guiding them toward improvement and encouraging autonomy in their educational journey. When individuals engage in self-directed learning, they take initiative in their educational process, setting goals and seeking resources. Feedback reinforces their efforts, helping them assess their understanding and skills, refining strategies, and promoting a growth mindset. This interaction fosters deeper engagement and motivation, as learners feel empowered to take control of their learning paths and adjust their approaches based on the feedback received.

The other choices do not align as closely with the role of feedback in the learning process. Passive learning generally involves a lack of engagement, making it unlikely for feedback to play a meaningful role. Memorization of facts can benefit from feedback, but it does not facilitate the same level of critical thinking and personal growth as self-directed learning does. Group-based learning can benefit from collaborative feedback, but this does not reflect the individual initiative and responsibility that defines self-directed learning. Thus, self-directed learning stands out as the primary type of learning that feedback effectively supports.