Critical Reflection
New teachers are the change agents of the future. It is important you take every opportunity open to you, to continue to develop your skills and knowledge related to children’s learning. One of these opportunities involves 'Critical Reflection' (Fehring 2010). Reflection is the process of recalling and analysing one's practice in order to refine and improve. Reflective practice is a life-long necessity and ongoing process for all educators (Churchill et al. 2011).
Reflective practices assist us to understand and improve our teaching, providing new insights into learning and relationships with students. Reflective practices will assist in establishing a supportive environment as well as improving performance and promoting professional development (Rayford 2010). These important aspects are embedded throughout the NSW Professional Teaching Standards (NSW Institute of Teachers 2006).
Reflective practices assist us to understand and improve our teaching, providing new insights into learning and relationships with students. Reflective practices will assist in establishing a supportive environment as well as improving performance and promoting professional development (Rayford 2010). These important aspects are embedded throughout the NSW Professional Teaching Standards (NSW Institute of Teachers 2006).
Tools and Techniques
A range of techniques can be used to facilitate reflective practices. According to Maloney & Campbell-Evans (2002), a key tool is the reflective journal, the most commonly used by practicing teachers.
Reflective JournalAmy, you can shape and structure your reflective journal to suit your needs. However if you are stuck we have provided you with a template of a 'reflective journal' to get you started.
You can also click on the 'reflective journal guide' if you have more questions about how, when and why to use the reflective journal. |
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Other useful ways to reflect include:
- Note taking
- Written reflections
- Video journals
- Portfolios
- Recordings
- Observations by others
- Surveying your students