The ideas of Dewey and Schon are the source of the phrase "reflective practice." "Reflection, according to Dewey (1910, p. 6), is "the engaged, determined, and thoughtful examination of any theory or purported type of information in the light of the arguments which back it." This suggests that you will examine things and consider different results as well as the reasons behind why events are arranged the way they are.
Reflection, according to Dewey, "permits us to comprehend whom we are dealing with while we act... It empowers us to guide our choices with foreknowledge." This is essential when it comes to instruction. Your conduct and demeanour in the educational setting should be well-considered, based on theory and real-world experience, and purposefully directed.
Schon (1983) presents a different viewpoint. He distinguishes between two kinds of analysis: thinking and contemplation reflection.
Thinking and acting quickly while performing is known as reflection-in-action. For instance, while presenting a subject in the classroom, you may see that the students are not grasping it. You may witness this, think about why it`s occurring, and then react by doing differently because of your reflection-in-action. This might include rephrasing your explanation or taking a fresh angle on the subject.
When you give the subject more thought outside of the classroom, you engage in reflection-on-action. You may give additional thought to the reasons the pupils did not understand, the circumstances that led to the situation, the options that you had, and the reasons you decided on one path to pursue over the one more. Your responses will differ according to your beliefs, how well you understand theories, and how much information and expertise you now possess.
According to Harvey et al. (2012), some people may feel unsettling or disturbing emotions and experiences as a result of it. Here are some rules to follow to make sure that students are in a respectful and safe environment:
- Make reflection-related tasks optional, if at all feasible.
- If reflection-based assignments are required for the subject or course, be willing to work with participants to find an alternative learning or assessment activity.
- You should also think about marking reviewing tasks and classifying them as "finished." or "uncompleted" as opposed to grading them.
- Lastly, make sure that there`s a list of psychological and organizational support services available for those who need it.
A scholarly practice guide on reflection for learning intended for educators Marina Harvey, Greg Walker, Anne-Louise Semple, Kate Lloyd, and Kath McLachlan 14 + allows participants to provide you with feedback about the procedures and activities, which you can then use to improve the way you teach.
The Reflecting Cycle comprises the following four Steps:
Instructing
Although it may seem apparent, carrying out your lesson plans is the most crucial step in the reflective cycle. These encounters and their results will provide you with a starting point on which to reflect and pinpoint your areas of improvement.
Self-evaluation
The secret to self-evaluation is knowing how your instruction has impacted your kids` education. Whether the lesson is "good" or "bad" is irrelevant. It`s more important to determine which parts of the lesson you can change to better suit your kids` present learning requirements.
Taking into account novel approaches
Do kids need additional practice using the existing content hands-on? Is it possible for you to include more play in your lessons? Is it possible to improve the classroom setting to increase the effect of the lessons? Think over all the options, and if you believe doing something different would help you become a better teacher, don`t be scared to do so.
Implementing concepts
You may begin implementing new techniques into your class plans after you`ve found them. Recall that reflective practice is a cycle, so you may evaluate and refine any new concepts you use in the classroom at a later time. It all comes down to constantly experimenting and figuring out what suits young kids the best.To support your reflective practice, use a program such as Brightwheel`s classroom management tool. To keep students involved in your classroom, make observations and notes, monitor and record the progress of your students using the app, and easily modify the learning activities.
The Value of Reflection in Education
Since the educational landscape is always changing, teachers must also adapt or modify their methods to better suit the demands of students who have a wider range of needs. Put differently, by customizing instruction to meet each student`s requirements, reflective practice ensures that every kid learns as much as possible. However, there are many other ways that reflection may help teachers and students.
Encourages Career Advancement
Reflective practice, according to studies, may assist educators have a better understanding of their strengths and flaws. You may come up with fresh ideas for modifying routines, improving tactics, and refining your teaching techniques by setting objectives and keeping track of the outcomes of your classes.
Examples of Reflective Practice
Finding time to sit down and think after a long day may seem unattainable for busy educators, even if the advantages of reflective practice are too great to ignore. Thankfully, introspection doesn`t need to take place alone or even include a long meditation session. When you`re ready to think back on your lessons, use these useful methods.
Launch a notebook
The easiest approach to reflect on your lessons is to keep a running record of your methods and results. This does not imply that you must write for an hour every day. It just takes five minutes a day, or a few times a week, to reflect on your teaching experience and provide answers to questions such as, "What went well?""What actions could I have taken to improve?""What can I attempt the next time?"
Keep a record of your classes
To record your classes, use your phone (keeping it out of sight). This might be a simple audio recording of your lesson or a video of the complete session. By recording your sessions, you may take the time to thoroughly evaluate every facet of your education, from determining whether or not your instructions are clear to whether students are paying the most or least attention.
Think back on the present
Getting instant feedback on your phone or tablet is another easy and fast approach to using technology for your benefit. This might be a few sentences jotted down in a notes app or a voice memo. You can make sure you remember everything from your classes and make more accurate assessments of what worked and what didn`t by recording brief recaps of your courses in real-time.
Request recommendations
It`s not always necessary to exercise reflection alone. Speak with other educators about their insights and strategies for enhancing their teaching. Colleague guidance may assist you in thinking more critically and identifying development opportunities that you would miss on your own.
Keep an eye on your peers
If you can, try to attend the classes of your colleagues and educators. This will allow you to see where your teaching practices are working well and where they need work. Instead of pointing out their mistakes, the objective is to foster candid dialogue and professional growth between you and your colleagues.
100% Plagiarism Free & Custom Written,
Tailored to your instructions
