Feedback is important

Feedback is “knowledge of results.” In a system where there is a goal and a reasonable means of achieving the goal, feedback provides the “system” with the information it needs to adjust its behavior so that it can reach that goal.
It is how thermostats work. The goal with thermostats is to reach a particular temperature. The feedback is information of whether the temperature has been reached. If it has not been reached, the heat continues. If it has been reached, then the furnace is turned off.

While the learning process is more complex, the thermostat analogy works with it as well. This has been confirmed by studies by Professor Mihály Csíkszentmihály at Claremont Graduate University. When humans have a goal and the goal is within their grasp (i.e. it is within or just slightly beyond their skill level to achieve), then humans are highly motivated to work towards that goal. This is seen in gambling, in computer games, in hobbies, and in sports. It is what Professor Csíkszentmihály refers to as being in Flow.

It is also seen in learning where the learning environment meets the right criteria. The conditions required to develop such an intrinsically motivating learning environment are 1) the student has clear goals, 2) the student has the knowledge or skills to be able to achieve the goal, and 3) the student receives constant feedback of progress. Such an environment can only exist in an individualized learning environment. This can, arguably, work only in a technology-driven system.