I thought this was an excellent read on receiving (but also giving) feedback: https://www.amazon.com/Thanks-Feedback-Science-Receiving-Wel...

Lots of discussions on where feedback might come from, what are the types of feedback (praise vs coaching vs evaluation), and how to incorporate (if needed)

I also want to echo the top comment here re:kudos on desire to improve

I used to be a boss like that. I thought people are always motivated to be better at their jobs. And that they are better at regulating their feelings. I was wildly wrong on both. Even though people learn that way, it is faster to impart learning by using slightly less confrontational approach. Specially if the relationship you are building is going to last more than a semester. I highly recommend reading https://www.amazon.com/Thanks-Feedback-Science-Receiving-Wel... to everyone. It helped me enormously to receive and give feedback in way which was conducive to build a feedback loop where people actively sought feedback on their work and received it with much more open mind.

Thanks For The Feedback[1] is a pretty decent book on the subject. Highly recommended if you're interested both in the mechanisms and improving how you receive/give feedback.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Thanks-Feedback-Science-Receiving-Wel...