Reasons for reflective teaching

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Defining reflective teachingReflective teaching is thinking about your teaching through both self-evaluation and evaluation by your colleagues.Reflective teaching does not mean criticizing your own teaching. It also means recognizing what is going well and thinking why it is going well.

W a s m y e x p l a n a ti o n

c l e a r ?

What does a reflective teacher do?Did I

achieve what I set out to do?

What should I do to change next time? What else could I use to help them to understand?

Did the pupils

understand the

lesson, or did my

methods confuse

them?

Questioning your aims and actionsYou need to question your aims and actions because you need to be very clear on what you want to achieve and how you intend to achieve it. Your actions may encourage or discourage learning.As you plan for the next lesson, there is need to think about the topic of the lesson, the content you intend to cover during the lesson, the activities the pupils will be involved in and, your own actions at each step of the lesson. As you go to the class, will then be aware of what to say, how to say it and what other materials will help you achieve the same aims.

"Like other professionals, teachers cannot become effective by following scripts. Instead, they need to create knowledge in use as they practice ... knowledge does not exist apart from teacher and context."

Thomas Sergiovanni, Moral Leadership

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher: Questions to Consider• Do I have what it takes to become a good educator of the

very young?• What do I believe about how young children learn?• Why do I want to work with young children?• How do I think about concepts such as equity, diversity,

and fairness?• What personal qualities and abilities do I possess that

will make me successful in working with young children?• What kind of early childhood teacher do I want to

become?• How will I demonstrate my commitment to young

children through my work?

Teaching in Early Childhood

Teaching in early childhood requires a calling considering the following:1. Complexity of teaching

• Content• Relationships

2. Involves special responsibility

Reflective Practice

• Rethink, reconsider, reflect, rework craft• Decision making• Assess consequences• Consider what has been called to mind

Starting the Process of Reflection: Questions to Ask• What led me to this career choice?• How are my personal characteristics

matched to the job?

Process of Reflection

•Thinking of myself as a teacher•Seeing the child•Hypothesizing•Questioning•Trying out•Reflecting afterwards

Levels of Reflection

1. Self as Teacher2. Task of Teaching in Context3. Focus on Outcomes for Students

Dispositions of a Reflective Practitioner•Open-mindedness•Responsibility•Wholeheartedness•Mindful/Relationship-Based Practices

Characteristics of the Reflective Educator

• Active• searches for information to problems

• Persistent• thinks through difficult issues in depth

and without tire• Careful

• expresses concern for self and others• respects students as human beings• creates a positive, nurturing classroom

Cont…

• Skeptical• realizes there are few absolutes• maintains healthy skepticism about

educational theories and practices• Rational

• demands evidence and applies criteria when making judgments

• Proactive• reflective thinking translated into positive

action

What Is Your Disposition to Become a Reflective Practitioner?• Commitment to children• Interest & understanding of children’s

development• Positive outlook on children & families• Risk-taking & learning from mistakes• Flexibility in thinking & ability to adapt• Mastering content & pedagogy• Build sense of community; collaboration &

support• Address problems & make ethical decisions• Pursue professional growth

Significance of reflective teachingEnables you to:Adjust lesson plans to differences between classes and children

Vary the methodology according to such factors as

(1) kinds of children in the class;

(2) purpose of the lesson;

(3) ability of the children to accept responsibility

Modify activities and lessons to available equipment and facilities

Attempt to understand management problems and then seek the causes, modifying teaching procedure accordingly

Regularly assess the children and also seek constructive criticism about their teaching from children and colleagues

"Be a reflective teacher. Honestly look at what you do from time to time. Evaluate the purpose of your role as a teacher."- Robert John Meehan

Thank you