Plain English Meaning
Telling a student what they did wrong in a way that helps them fix it, instead of just making them feel bad about it.
Full Definition
An instructional technique in which an instructor points out a learner's errors or weaknesses in a way that identifies what was wrong, explains why it was wrong, and offers specific guidance on how to correct it, while preserving the learner's confidence and motivation to keep training.
Context Anchor
Used in flight instruction, ground instruction, and post-flight discussions when an instructor corrects a learner without increasing frustration.
Derivation
From Latin 'construere', meaning 'to build up'. Constructive criticism is meant to build the learner up by giving them something to work with, not tear them down.