Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Reflecting on Reflection
As teachers, we are constantly reflecting whether we realize it or not. After a lesson, we consider what went well and what didn't, for example. The challenge--for me at least--is to take that even further. I need to make sure that I engage in "deliberate thinking" and figure out WHY something didn't work and how I can adjust it. In doing so, I would be able to tweak and build on my lessons rather than starting all over. Reflection is also important with student behavior. As a 7th grade teacher, I am lucky enough that I teach in a "house." At our team meetings, I can reflect with others to help with student concerns. If something is working for another teacher to help students be successful, I can try it as well. I need to remember that reflection isn't an isolated practice.
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You have made a number of wondeful points on reflection. I think another thing that sometimes new teachers run into is that reflection can be scary. Sometimes reflecting can some times be viewed as looking for your own weaknesse. We need to remember that reflection whether self, or peer related is a wonderful opportunity to grow as a teacher. It's not looking for a weakeness but rather an opportunity for improvement. With that in mind we ALL can improve and need to do so throughout our careers. So, take pride in knowing that we can improve because it's something we'll be doing for the rest of our professional careers. Live long and reflect;)
ReplyDeleteQuick comment: I have found it extremely helpful to force myself after lessons to write down my reflections (how did things go, spent too much time on something, need to revamp the whole thing) and keep it somewhere safe for next year. I find if I don't, I easily forget things that I could easily change for next year.
ReplyDeleteI've also found reflecting with other teachers in the "house" very helpful. It's great to get together and share ideas about what works/doesn't work with students. I also like talking within the department about activities that have worked in other classrooms. It's great to expand my repetoire of activities to make math engaging. And of course, if there is something that didn't work, it's nice to know that too :)
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying reading everyone's ideas on reflecting. In counseling, I think it is important to give yourself 24 hours to reflect. Sometimes when you reflect right away after something has occurred it is difficult to have perspective. By giving yourself time to think and then journaling about the experience has been very beneficial for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree reflection is so key to becoming a more effective teacher. I think it is important to remember when your class or lesson is not going well, sometimes it is easier to blame the students. However, it is often better to look inwardly and ask what could I have done better or differently to make it more of a success. It is our job to teach them, so if behaviors, lack of motivation, difficculty comprehending, whatever...are not reasons why the lesson did not go well, except for the fact that we didn't rise our lesson to a level that met or compensated for those very things. On a second point, reflecting with others I find, is also very helpful. Sometimes others have already experienced and managed what you are going through, or they can see it from an outside point of you and offer great ideas.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, reflecting is very important to become a n effective teacher. I think we reflect even when we don't know we are reflecting. I sometimes reflect even by just talking to my husband after work about my lesson, or taking my dog for a walk and just thinking about how my day went. I am also lucky to be able to co-teach and we reflect after every lesson with each grade. Most of the time it is positive, but sometimes it helps to talk about how bad the warm up went, or why some kids didn't understand the skill we were teaching. I think reflecting is another way of "talking to ourselves" but it only makes us a better teacher.
ReplyDeleteI like the point made about reflection not being a search for weaknesses. Sometimes, particularly after an observation, it can feel like I am looking for weaknesses in my teaching. It's important to make the distinction that what I am actually doing is looking for areas in which to improve. As a second-year teacher, I definitely don't have everything figured out! Reflection helps me grow and improve. A lot of people have mentioned reflecting with others. I find my team has a lot of insight into what I can do to improve in my instruction. They have "been there, done that", so to speak. I love learning from them through reflection!
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