Reflection
“We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience.” – John Dewey
Reflection
Reflective Practice is about thinking about what you do before, during, and after you teach. A Teaching Reflection Journal is a great place to start your reflective practice. These physical journals are handy because you can carry them with you to class and home, and handwrite insights as they come to you. Get in the habit of jotting down a few notes or ideas at the end of each class. At the end of a unit or semester, take some time to reflect on your teaching and write it down in the teaching reflection journal. Once the new semester rolls around, you will be primed for success because you will be ready to apply your ideas.
Reflection Journal Prompts
“Reflection is an integral part of the learning process. As educators, building reflection into your practice can fuel continuous growth and development, help us challenge ourselves, and deepen the learning environments we create.”
Explore the Mysteries of Teaching blog post by Tes Zakrzewski
Why is Reflective Practice Important?
Providing students with a high-quality educational experience is your top priority and self-reflection is a valuable method to help improve your teaching practices and the content of your course every semester. It is a moment for you to be honest with yourself and organize your thoughts on areas of improvement and congratulate yourself on areas that were stellar.
How Do I Get Started?
If reflection is already part of your teaching practice, then these rituals might look familiar or even inviting! However, if this is your first formal reflective practice then choose one of the reflection invitation prompts above to get started.
Student Reflections
Student Reflections are personal + exploratory pieces of writing (or audio or video) that a student is asked to complete after an experience in the course. It “closes the loop on learning”, because it asks students to look back, gain insight into their own progress, and make connections for going forward.
Books
There are many books that can rekindle the spark for teaching, and shine a new light on how we learn. Here are some recommendations currently available at the Wentworth Schumann Library.
Additional Material
Reflective practice podcast from Teaching in Higher Ed.
Getting started with Reflective Practice from Cambridge International Education Teaching and Learning Team
After Reflection
After reflection comes implementation. This is the part where you can reimagine and implement high-impact changes to your teaching. Check out our resources for best practices in prepping for a new semester.