by Terry Heick
Reflection is a basic tenet of studying; it is usually, due to this fact, a basic a part of instructing.
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 form of definition, to replicate means to look again at how one thing ‘went,’ and see it for all of its out there elements and patterns: Causes and results; comparisons and distinction; strengths and weak spot; its traits; how shut it got here to what you had 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 permits enchancment, the silence that precedes understanding. And whereas it may well look like an summary ultimate, its results are something however.
What Does Reflection Look Like?
Reflection in instructing would possibly seem like this:
A trainer pausing on the finish of a lesson to jot down a fast observe: 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 moderately than judgment: What does this inform me about how they suppose? 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 can assist. It’s a option to make reflection a behavior as an alternative 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 instructing journal. On the finish of every day, write down three issues: what labored, what didn’t, and what you’re interested in for tomorrow.
Checklists or rubrics: These can be utilized to judge classes or instructing methods towards particular standards.
Pupil suggestions: Recurrently 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 may well provide an goal view of your instructing in motion.
Reflection as a Shared Observe
Reflection doesn’t must 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 college.
Ask colleagues: What’s one technique you’ve used that labored nicely not too long ago? What’s a problem you’ve been reflecting on?
Take part in reflective protocols: Structured discussions just like the “Vital Pals” protocol present a framework for sharing and analyzing instructing practices.
The Advantages of Reflection
The advantages of reflective instructing ripple outward. For academics, it fosters skilled progress, sharpens self-awareness, and reignites function. 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 instructing displays your core values and greatest intentions.
Reflection seems like an summary thought–one thing unspecific, and even just a little mystical. One thing we do within the bathe on the drive house when nobody’s round and we’re free to roam in our personal minds. It’s undoubtedly true that reflection comes most effortlessly, and in its purest and rawest varieties, in these circumstances after we–that’s, our minds–should not in any other case engaged.
Reflection isn’t a single factor–a field to examine 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 instructing as each a sequence of steps and the achievement of design. It’s each elements 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 information and understanding, and can carry all the pieces I do know to bear on my craft.
With this type of examination laid out, their apply of reflection is extra fruitful, a form 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 instructing, and profit from the concrete apply of reflection.
The Position Of Reflection In Instructor Enchancment
Once I use social media, I accomplish that each as a matter of apply and thought. Mechanical actions result in thought, and the opposite approach round. I skim social channels, examine 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 that means, discover relevance in its message, and suppose–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 ‘massive thought’ of social-emotional studying? What do I do know–and never know? What instruments am I conscious of that might work right here? Do I want a device–is that this price clicking on? Ought to I save to Pocket with out clicking? Click on and skim? 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 device or thought 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 form of thought that promotes change in your instructing. However this actually has nothing to do with twitter; that is simply a straightforward instance that lots of you’ll be able to 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 instructing. These–or others–could be about trying on the ins and outs of instructing so long as they result in your constructing each a capability and an inclination to replicate by yourself.
There may be, after all, vulnerability that comes with reflection. Being trustworthy, clear, after which standing by yourself.
The reflection truly begins a lot earlier, alone, in your individual thoughts after one thing occurs. Then, it typically occurs with somebody–a buddy, colleague, or cherished one. Perhaps even a scholar. Then, you’re prone to replicate 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, typically occurs Alone (which is sluggish and passive), Collectively (which is extra quick, and energetic) after which Alone Once more (as soon as extra, sluggish and passive).
Sequence: Whereas Instructing–>After Instructing–>After College
Reflection can also be a matter of timing. Reflection can occur at any time, however no before the occasion begins going down: The lesson, the evaluation, the assembly, the Socrative Dialogue.
Whereas instructing, how is it going actually? What changes appear mandatory? What’s most essential right here? Then instantly after, how did it go (analysis), and the way do I do know (information)? After college, 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 had been proper right here subsequent to me?
Sequence: College students–>Colleagues–>PLN
After which, with whom ought to I replicate? College students? Colleagues? Skilled Studying Networks? My partner? How is every episode completely different? What’s price speaking about and price forgetting?
How can I see reflection as a approach of instructing in order that it’s unattainable to separate out and itemize, however is as an alternative a moment-by-moment factor that’s all the time with me like a heartbeat?
What It Means To Be A Reflective Instructor
