Larry Porter, Giving and Receiving Feedback; It Will Never be Easy but it Can be Better, PDF.
Porter remarks that we can either refuse or accept the feedback. Pointing out that many people lack skills of sending and receiving feedback, he encourages us to improve feedback skills.
Acquiring feedback skills is effective for both receiver and giver. Feedback is necessary for student teachers to improve their teaching skills, for it gives the opportunity for them to reflect on their teaching. Feedback skills are kind of communication skills that we can learn and acquire by ourselves.
Since a giver has authority more than a receiver in most cases, it is difficult for a receiver to distinguish constructive feedback from offensive one. If the receiver feels that the feedback is offensive, he/she should consider if the feedback is based on the fact, and how the existing method can be improved by the feedback.
Even though the receiver feels it is offensive, I think that he/she should accept it within his/her acceptable range. Getting angry or ignoring other people's opinion might hinder effective communication. If it goes beyond tolerable range, however, the receiver might get emotional. In such a case, the receiver can ask the giver about the intention of his/her feedback.
Establishing a relationship that they can talk about what they feel each other is important for a communicative purpose. All feedback is not always correct. If you receive ambiguous feedback, or if the intention and reason are unclear, you should always ask the giver.
If the receiver's intention doesn't agree with giver's point, they should make sure the intention and the purpose, and they can make an effort to apply both intentions. If good feedback is given, the receiver should be open-minded to be ready for modifying his/her existing method.
