Sunday, September 22, 2013

Reflection and Teaching

How do you go about reflecting on your own teaching practice? Is this something you do often or sporadically? What do you tend to focus on in your self-reflection?

11 comments:

  1. I walk my two dogs every morning for about a half hour and dedicate this time to reflecting on my students, where we've been, and where we're going.

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    1. I try to do the same - whether it's a morning walk before work or during my commute to work. I take time to reflect on the things that are working and think about ways to improve those things that are not. I find talking with other educators is also helpful

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  2. Luckily, I made keeping a teaching journal one of my official "goals" for my probationary period. Surprisingly to me, my vice-principal thought it was a great goal. This means that I now feel beholden to write in my teaching journal and that it is a legit activity. I think without this external commitment to keep a journal I would not make the time to do so. I often end up writing about the nagging problems that I feel like I'm having in the classroom. It becomes a place where I can brainstorm solutions. Usually I don't implement them right away, but because I have a record of those ideas, I often get around to implementing them eventually.

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  3. I think a lot about what practical, concrete results I can get out of a lesson, but I'm never sure if this is the right focus. Earlier in my career I constructed so many interesting, engaging lessons that really kept the kids' interest. But then I had difficulty proving to myself that these lessons actually taught anything measurable or even useful. I think I've been brainwashed by all the focus on testing and the common core. Rather than simply engaging my students and teaching them to think, I focus more now on whether what I'm teaching can serve them in the future, and how they can USE the skills I'm teaching. I can't say I reflect in writing often, but I think constantly about how to refine what I'm doing.

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  4. I often reflect on my teaching during my 3o minute commute to and from school. I like the idea of a teaching journal, Brigid!

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  5. I work with an ed tech in my room. We talk daily about lessons; how the lessons went, what could be done differently and if we were able to accomplish the learning goals. I think it helps improve my instruction.

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  6. At the beginning of the school year, I tend to make more of an effort to reflect on my teaching practice, daily. I believe this is primarily because when a lesson plan does not go well or if students go wild in favorable response I take more notice at the start of the year. I tend to focus on how I might revisit the lesson plan the next day, scaffolding instruction differently or making sure that I repeat a successful approach.

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  7. I carpool with two fellow teachers and we do a lot of reflection on the way to and from school. It is a great support network and gets to the social aspect of reflection.

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  8. I tend to reflect in the shower in the morning. It's the only time I really get to myself and I am getting ready for the school day. This year, I started keeping notes on a unit we are doing. I was going to just keep notes on where each class was and what students needed extra help, etc. It has turned more reflective than I had thought it would. I guess that just shows my need for reflection-it found it's own way in.

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    1. Oh my gosh!! its, not it's....of all places....

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  9. I love the idea of a teaching journal- smart to make it a formal goal. I am grateful to my friend and colleague who listens to ideas for projects and assignments and provide feedback. I also occasionally ask students' input on projects that they especially enjoyed/found valuable which is also interesting!

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