Reflective+Teachers

= Reflective Teachers = Teaching is one of the most challenging and rewarding professions. The ever changing visage of teaching requires its practitioners to be lifelong learners. Part of this learning process involves self-reflection. Teachers must be reflective in their practice and developmental growth. To fully understand the process of reflective teaching, one must understand what reflective teachers do and what characteristics they possess.

According to Ormrod (2014), reflective teaching involves the “Regular, ongoing examination and critique of one’s assumptions and instructional strategies, and revision of them as necessary to enhance students’ learning and development.” (p. 14) The concept of a reflective teacher or reflective practitioner finds its origins in the theory of reflective thinking. There were two primary pioneers in the theory of reflective thinking, John Dewey and Donald Schön. Dewey’s theories were developed in the early part of the twentieth century and later expanded upon by Schön. Dewey professed a belief in the necessity for constant reflection and reexamination of one’s knowledge, observations, and classroom practices (Carter, Cividanes, Curtis, & Lebo, 2010).

Schön furthered the idea of reflective thinking by describing a reflective practitioner as someone who has the ability to and capability of practicing reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action. Reflection-in-action refers to the thought process of reflection while an event is taking place. It is the ability to utilize prior knowledge and experience to respond within the moment. In contrast, reflection-on-action refers to the process of reviewing the situation after it has past and contemplating alternative solutions. It is the opportunity to review the situation without the pressures presented in the moment ( Schön, 1992).

The attached video provides an excellent description of Schön's reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action. media type="custom" key="24023112" Perhaps one of the most comprehensive and concise explanations of reflective teaching was set forth by Barbara Larrivee. Larrivee (2000) holds that, reflective teachers utilize self-reflection to increase their awareness of how they view and respond to students while recognizing their unconscious responses to their students. Additionally, Larrivee (2000) postulates these teachers are cognizant of how their own experiences, beliefs, assumptions, feelings, and personal agendas can prevent certain responses to a situation that could be beneficial to personal and professional growth. Possessing this awareness allows the teacher to explore and examine approaches and responses that would not have been previously attainable if they were not cognizant of their own preconceptions.

The link, below, contains a video that demonstrates the process of self-reflection. This reflective teacher utilizes a video camera to record her lessons, thus providing an opportunity to review the recording to reflect on her actions, the actions of her students, and her responses ( reflection-on-action). She also seeks guidance from her peers. Seeking guidance from others furthers the concept of self-reflection by providing an additional perspective for one to expand upon. A reflective teacher, therefore, is one that recognizes the profession as one that involves continuous self-examination, self-reflection, and analysis of one’s responses through the eyes of the students and one’s colleagues.

[|https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/improve-teaching-with-video#header]

References:

Carter, M., Cividanes, W., Curtis, D., & Lebo, D. (2010). Becoming a reflective teacher. //Teaching Young Children//, //3//(4). Retrieved from []

Larrivee, B. (2000). Transforming teaching practice: becoming the critically reflective teacher. //Reflective Practice//, //1//(4). Retrieved from []

Omrod, J. E. (2014). //Educational Psychology. // Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Schön, D. (1992). The theory of inquiry: Dewey's legacy to education. //Curriculum Inquiry, 22//(2). Retrieved from []

Dr. Tina Boogren: Becoming a Reflective Teacher. []

Using Video to Improve Practice: Do It Yourself! []

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Morgan McClain.