What is a significant problem with a teacher using generic praise like "good job"?

Using generic praise such as "good job" lacks specificity and does not provide students with meaningful feedback about their performance. When praise is vague, students may struggle to understand what exactly they did well or what specific actions or efforts led to the praise. This disconnect can result in the perception that the praise is unrelated to their performance, making it difficult for students to connect their behavior with their achievements.

The absence of detailed feedback can hinder learning, as students may not know what they should replicate in the future or how to improve. In contrast, specific praise that highlights particular actions or skills helps students gain insight into their learning processes and encourages them to engage more deeply with the material. This more targeted approach fosters a growth mindset, as students can identify the practices that lead to success and build on them.

Generic praise, while well-intentioned, ultimately fails to guide students in a productive way, making it important for educators to focus on providing specific, constructive feedback that fosters a clearer understanding of their performance and potential areas for improvement.