by Terry Heick
Reflection is a elementary tenet of studying; it is usually, due to this fact, a elementary a part of educating.
Why it occurs is a matter of humility. However how and when it occurs–and with whom–is much less clear. That is partly as a result of there are a number of sides to reflection–size, width, and depth. A Z-axis.
It’s complete.
As a type of definition, to mirror means to look again at how one thing ‘went,’ and see it for all of its out there components and patterns: Causes and results; comparisons and distinction; strengths and weak point; its traits; how shut it got here to what you have been anticipating; your feelings.
I deliberate this, and it went like this, and now I believe this.
Reflection, then, is the bridge between what we do and what we will do higher. It’s the pause that enables enchancment, the silence that precedes understanding. And whereas it could possibly look like an summary very best, its results are something however.
What Does Reflection Look Like?
Reflection in educating may appear to be this:
A trainer pausing on the finish of a lesson to jot down a fast notice: What went nicely? What didn’t? How did the scholars reply?
Collaborative conversations throughout skilled studying communities (PLCs): Sharing successes, analyzing failures, and contemplating various methods.
Reviewing scholar work with curiosity quite than judgment: What does this inform me about how they assume? What gaps do I see? What strengths can I construct on?
A psychological replay on the finish of the day: Considering by way of moments that stood out—successes, struggles, surprises—and unpacking why they mattered.
Reflection doesn’t all the time require construction, however construction might help. It’s a option to make reflection a behavior as a substitute of an afterthought. Reflection can occur alone or with others, formally or informally, in writing or in thought.
Instruments for Reflection
To make reflection sensible and actionable, contemplate instruments like:
Journaling: Preserve a easy educating journal. On the finish of every day, write down three issues: what labored, what didn’t, and what you’re inquisitive about for tomorrow.
Checklists or rubrics: These can be utilized to judge classes or educating methods towards particular standards.
Scholar suggestions: Frequently search enter from college students about what helps them study. This may be by way of surveys, open-ended questions, or casual discussions.
Video recording: Recording a lesson and reviewing it could possibly supply an goal view of your educating in motion.
Reflection as a Shared Observe
Reflection doesn’t need to occur in isolation. Collaborating with friends provides new views and uncovers blind spots. When academics share their reflections, it normalizes the apply and creates a tradition of progress inside a faculty.
Ask colleagues: What’s one technique you’ve used that labored nicely just lately? What’s a problem you’ve been reflecting on?
Take part in reflective protocols: Structured discussions just like the “Important Buddies” protocol present a framework for sharing and analyzing educating practices.
The Advantages of Reflection
The advantages of reflective educating ripple outward. For academics, it fosters skilled progress, sharpens self-awareness, and reignites goal. For college kids, it creates higher studying experiences and fashions the lifelong studying course of.
Reflection isn’t about reaching perfection however about steady enchancment. It’s the apply of aligning your actions along with your beliefs, guaranteeing that your educating displays your core values and greatest intentions.
Reflection seems like an summary concept–one thing unspecific, and even somewhat mystical. One thing we do within the bathe on the drive residence when nobody’s round and we’re free to roam in our personal minds. It’s positively true that reflection comes most effortlessly, and in its purest and rawest types, in these circumstances after we–that’s, our minds–aren’t in any other case engaged.
Reflection isn’t a single factor–a field to verify in some elliptical cycle of studying. It’s as a lot a matter of self-awareness, humility, and affection as it’s timing, sequence, and process.
I can see the craft of educating as each a sequence of steps and the achievement of design. It’s each components and complete. Science and artwork. Skilled and folks.
I do know nothing is ever excellent, so I search to enhance. I additionally know what’s improvable inside my means, and what pathways there are to get there.
I imagine within the endurance of data and understanding, and can convey every little thing I do know to bear on my craft.
With this sort of examination laid out, their apply of reflection is extra fruitful, a type of tilling of the bottom to reap crops. That is the place the non-abstractions are available–the tangible instruments, processes, and companions of reflection that permit us to socialize ourselves and our educating, and profit from the concrete apply of reflection.
The Function Of Reflection In Instructor Enchancment
After I use social media, I achieve this each as a matter of apply and thought. Mechanical actions result in thought, and the opposite method round. I skim social channels, verify mentions and messages, and reply if it is smart. These are inputs. The output, if I get it excellent, is reflection.
If I learn a tweet, interpret what I imagine to be its which means, discover relevance in its message, and assume–even briefly–about how I relate to it and it to me, I’m approaching reflection.
Tweet: The Constructing Momentum Behind Social Emotional Studying
My response: What’s the ‘huge concept’ of social-emotional studying? What do I do know–and never know? What instruments am I conscious of that would work right here? Do I would like a software–is that this value clicking on? Ought to I save to Pocket with out clicking? Click on and browse? RT with out studying? Learn, then RT? Favourite with or with out studying? How am I spending my time proper now on social media? Am I bumming round, or ought to I be extra intentional–this software or concept for this want I’ve tomorrow.
If reflection occurs on social media–and it does–then it’s each a matter of apply and behavior–an inclination in the direction of the type of thought that promotes change in your educating. However this actually has nothing to do with twitter; that is simply a simple instance that a lot of you possibly can relate to. It’s in regards to the dimensions of reflection: The How, the When, and the Who.
How Does Reflection Occur?
You may begin with prompts for reflective educating. These–or others–could be about wanting on the ins and outs of educating so long as they result in your constructing each a capability and an inclination to mirror by yourself.
There may be, after all, vulnerability that comes with reflection. Being sincere, clear, after which standing by yourself.
The reflection really begins a lot earlier, alone, in your personal thoughts after one thing occurs. Then, it usually occurs with somebody–a good friend, colleague, or cherished one. Possibly even a scholar. Then, you’re prone to mirror once more, alone, now pushed additional in your considering by the ‘collectively’ half. Writing about it once more, after which sharing that with others makes the reflection extra advanced, and extra private.
Sequence: Alone–>Collectively–>Alone
Reflection, amongst different patterns, usually occurs Alone (which is sluggish and passive), Collectively (which is extra instant, and lively) after which Alone Once more (as soon as extra, sluggish and passive).
Sequence: Whereas Educating–>After Educating–>After Faculty
Reflection can also be a matter of timing. Reflection can occur at any time, however no earlier than the occasion begins happening: The lesson, the evaluation, the assembly, the Socrative Dialogue.
Whereas educating, how is it going actually? What changes appear mandatory? What’s most necessary right here? Then instantly after, how did it go (analysis), and the way do I do know (knowledge)? After faculty, now that I’ve had an opportunity to ‘get away’ from the occasion some, what do I believe now? What’s lingering? What ought to I do in a different way subsequent time? What would college students say in the event that they have been proper right here subsequent to me?
Sequence: College students–>Colleagues–>PLN
After which, with whom ought to I mirror? College students? Colleagues? Skilled Studying Networks? My partner? How is every episode totally different? What’s value speaking about and value forgetting?
How can I see reflection as a method of educating in order that it’s not possible to separate out and itemize, however is as a substitute a moment-by-moment factor that’s all the time with me like a heartbeat?
What It Means To Be A Reflective Instructor
