by Terry Heick
Reflection is a basic tenet of studying; it is usually, subsequently, 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 obtainable elements and patterns: Causes and results; comparisons and distinction; strengths and weak point; 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 appear to be an summary superb, its results are something however.
What Does Reflection Look Like?
Reflection in instructing may appear like this:
A instructor pausing on the finish of a lesson to jot down a fast notice: What went properly? What didn’t? How did the scholars reply?
Collaborative conversations throughout skilled studying communities (PLCs): Sharing successes, analyzing failures, and contemplating different methods.
Reviewing pupil work with curiosity moderately 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 moments that stood out—successes, struggles, surprises—and unpacking why they mattered.
Reflection doesn’t all the time require construction, however construction may also help. It’s a strategy 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, think about instruments like:
Journaling: Maintain 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 guage classes or instructing methods towards particular standards.
Pupil suggestions: Repeatedly search enter from college students about what helps them be taught. This may be by surveys, open-ended questions, or casual discussions.
Video recording: Recording a lesson and reviewing it may well supply an goal view of your instructing 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 lecturers share their reflections, it normalizes the observe and creates a tradition of development inside a college.
Ask colleagues: What’s one technique you’ve used that labored properly lately? What’s a problem you’ve been reflecting on?
Take part in reflective protocols: Structured discussions just like the “Essential Associates” protocol present a framework for sharing and analyzing instructing practices.
The Advantages of Reflection
The advantages of reflective instructing ripple outward. For lecturers, it fosters skilled development, sharpens self-awareness, and reignites function. For college students, 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 observe of aligning your actions together with your beliefs, guaranteeing that your instructing displays your core values and greatest intentions.
Reflection feels like an summary concept–one thing unspecific, and even just a little mystical. One thing we do within the bathe on the drive dwelling 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 kinds, in these circumstances once we–that’s, our minds–are usually not 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 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 good, so I search to enhance. I additionally know what’s improvable inside my means, and what pathways there are to get there.
I consider within the endurance of information and understanding, and can deliver every little thing I do know to bear on my craft.
With this type of examination laid out, their observe of reflection is extra fruitful, a form of tilling of the bottom to reap crops. That is the place the non-abstractions are available in–the tangible instruments, processes, and companions of reflection that permit us to socialize ourselves and our instructing, and profit from the concrete observe of reflection.
The Function Of Reflection In Instructor Enchancment
After I use social media, I achieve this each as a matter of observe and thought. Mechanical actions result in thought, and the opposite means round. I skim social channels, verify mentions and messages, and reply if it is sensible. These are inputs. The output, if I get it excellent, is reflection.
If I learn a tweet, interpret what I consider to be its that 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 might work right here? Do I would like a instrument–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 instrument or concept for this want I’ve tomorrow.
If reflection occurs on social media–and it does–then it’s each a matter of observe and behavior–a bent 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 a lot of you possibly can relate to. It’s concerning the dimensions of reflection: The How, the When, and the Who.
How Does Reflection Occur?
You would begin with prompts for reflective instructing. These–or others–could be about wanting on the ins and outs of instructing so long as they result in your constructing each a capability and a bent to replicate by yourself.
There’s, in fact, vulnerability that comes with reflection. Being trustworthy, clear, after which standing by yourself.
The reflection truly begins a lot earlier, alone, in your personal thoughts after one thing occurs. Then, it usually occurs with somebody–a buddy, colleague, or beloved one. Perhaps even a pupil. 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 complicated, and extra private.
Sequence: Alone–>Collectively–>Alone
Reflection, amongst different patterns, usually occurs Alone (which is gradual and passive), Collectively (which is extra quick, and energetic) after which Alone Once more (as soon as extra, gradual and passive).
Sequence: Whereas Educating–>After Educating–>After College
Reflection can be a matter of timing. Reflection can occur at any time, however no ahead of the occasion begins happening: The lesson, the evaluation, the assembly, the Socrative Dialogue.
Whereas instructing, how is it going actually? What changes appear obligatory? 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 otherwise 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 totally different? What’s price speaking about and price forgetting?
How can I see reflection as a means of instructing in order that it’s inconceivable 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
