Reflection is something vital to our development as educators, yet so easily dropped from our practice. The urgencies of the day can easily overshadow that moment to pause, breathe, and reflect. Those the reflective moments, however, are the moments from which we can truly grow.
Reflection isn’t a new practice in education, but it is a key practice of an innovative educator (Courcos 48). John Dewey described reflection as “behavior which involves active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or practice in light of the grounds that support it and the future consequences to which it leads” (qtd in Canning 18). A reflective educator asks him/herself questions like: What worked? What didn’t work? What would I change? What questions do I have moving forward? (Courcos 57). The process provides the educator with a view into what went well, what didn’t, why the lesson went well or didn’t, and the foundation which to make adjustments as necessary.
Talking about the importance of reflection is one thing, but what tool to use is another discussion. Choose a tool, which you’re comfortable using. I’ve used so many different tools over the years: paper (Leutchturm and Lemome are my favorites), apps (Day One is my favorite), blogs, and bullet journals. The tools isn’t what’s important, it’s the process. The process needs to be a regular process. Make the time, make it a habit.
Reflective practice is a key characteristic of an innovative educator, but student lesson reflection is also a powerful tool. I would add that a reflective educator asks his or her students the following questions: What worked? What didn’t work? What did you learn? What did you thing the goal was? What do you need me to know? What questions do you have? I had my students reflect as an exit ticket each day. It was quick, but powerful. I started with a paper form and moved later to a Google form when our school went 1:1. These were private, individual reflections where every student had a voice and provided me with daily insight as to the success of our daily goals and where we needed additional help.
If reflective practice has been around for so long, what makes it innovative? It’s innovative because it asks the necessary questions in order for innovation to happen. It helps us to answer these key questions: Would I want to be a learner in my own classroom? What is best for this student? What is this student’s passion? What are some ways we can create a true learning community? How does this work for our students? (Courcos 40).
Moving forward as an innovative educator can begin with a practice of daily reflection.
Resources
- Bedell, Jason T. “Characteristics of a Reflective Educator.” Jason T Bedell, 23 Sept. 2010, jasontbedell.com/characteristics-of-a-reflective-educator.
- “The Reflective Educator – Conceptual Framework.” Reflective Educator, Washburn University, http://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/departments/education/reflective-educator.html.
- Courcos, George. “The Innovator’s Mindset MOOC.” The Innovator’s Mindset MOOC, 2 Oct. 2017, immooc.org/.
- Couros, George. The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity. Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc., 2015.
- “The Reflective Educator – Conceptual Framework.” Reflective Educator, Washburn University, http://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/departments/education/reflective-educator.html.
- Sparks-Langer, Georgea Mohlman, and Amy Berstein Colton. “Synthesis of Research on Teachers’ Reflective Thinking.” ASCD: Educational Leadership, ASCD, http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_199103_sparks-langer.pdf+.