Teaching in the 21st century has begun to shift from a pedagogy which views the teacher as the bearer of all knowledge to an approach that values ako, reciprocal learning. Both formative and summative assessments are influential in teaching but it is how we use the knowledge gained that is important. Literature surrounding effective feedback points to benefits for both the learner and teacher. Feedback is where the future learning begins and without it, assessment purely states where children are at in a point in time. Analysis of the assessment helps inform the required feedback and therefore the learning steps for the students to achieve their goals. While feedback is not strictly assessment, it is the essential element in turning assessment into a tool for future learning. This literature review will be focusing on what constitutes effective feedback and why it is so critical in teaching and learning