Reflective Practice
'Critically reflective teaching happens when we identify and scrutinize the assumptions that shape our practice'
(Brookfield, 2017)
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Self-reflection is a critical component of teaching. As educators we need to regularly evaluate our approaches to teaching and learning to ensure they are still fit for purpose in an ever changing society. Much of my reflection and examination of the information collected has been done using Brookfield’s Four Lenses – i.e., 1. the Self, 2. Colleagues, 3. Students, and 4. Theory. Brookfield ascertains that by examining the world through these lenses we can gain a fuller, more informed view of it. Considering our practice only from our own view limits our ability to think critically on it. To get a truly reliable and valid view of our teaching we must find a way to analyse the effects of it. Our colleagues can aid in this as they have the knowledge and the context for what we are trying to do. Our students and their work prove the effectiveness of our approach. And finally the theory provides us with tried and tested methods to work with.
References:
Brookfield, S., (2017), Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher, 2nd ed, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons.
Example of Weekly Teacher Reflection
Combined Learning Artefact
Combined learning artefacts (CLAs) give us an opportunity to reflect on our teaching through real, tangible evidence that we gather in the moment. The rationale for collecting this evidence is to encourage critical reflection of our teaching practice and to challenge the assumptions that we take into the classroom with us.
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This CLA is a visual essay reflecting on my first school placement. It critically reflects on and analyses my implementation of the unit 'Strange Evolution: The Weird Future of Life on Earth' with a first year group, across an 8 week period. Using Bloomfield's Lenses, I reflect within the following 4 sections: 1. Planning, 2. Teaching, 3. Reflection, and 4. Learning. The artefact analyses strengths and weakness, and then outlines plans to improve upon these in the future.