Reflective Practices- Why Bother?

Reflective practice is a valuable tool for teachers and learners alike. It involves reflecting on experiences, both positive and negative, in order to improve future performance. It is important for various reasons and serves a very specific purpose. Let’s discover that!‍‍

Mr T’s lesson did not go as planned. He reflected on the said lesson and identified specific aspects that could be improved, such as better pacing, clearer instructions, or more engaging activities.

Through these practices, teachers can assess their teaching practices and identify areas for improvement.‍

Ms R’s students did not fare well in their last assessment. She reflected on her students' performance on an assessment and identified the areas where the students struggled. She, then, adjusted her teaching practices to address those areas of improvement and helped her students improve their understanding and performance.

‍They help teachers evaluate their students' learning outcomes and adjust their teaching practices accordingly. ‍

Mr P’s students, well, most of them, were scared of him. He needed to understand why. He reflected on his teaching practices and identified the areas where he would like to improve his skills or knowledge. He realised that he needed to be authoritative, rather than authoritarian. He, then, sought out professional development opportunities, such as attending workshops or participating in online courses, to further develop his skills and knowledge.

They provide opportunities for teachers to engage in ongoing personal and professional growth and development. ‍

Ms G’s lesson did not go as planned. Instead of blaming the students for distracting the class, she reflected on the lesson. She used the experience as an opportunity to learn and improve her teaching practices.

Through these practices, teachers are able to view their failures and mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth. ‍

Mr E loves experimenting with new teaching and learning practices. She frequently reflects on his teaching practices and identifies the areas where he would like to try a new approach, such as project-based learning or flipped classroom models. He, then, experiments with the new approach and reflects on the outcomes to determine its effectiveness.

These practices encourage teachers to experiment with new teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches.

You see, reflective practices are important because they encourage continuous improvement and provide opportunities for growth and development. They can help teachers and learners to become more effective and successful in their teaching and learning endeavours.

If you want to dive deeper into this area of teaching and learning, please feel free to check out our course on Teacher Standards 4.