Comparing relevant theories, principles and models of reflective practice Essay

Reflective practice is an evolving idea.

In the thirties, John Dewey defined reflecting thought because: ‘Active, continual, and careful consideration of virtually any belief or perhaps supposed sort of knowledge in the light from the grounds that support it and the additional conclusions that it tends. ‘ This individual set out five phases or perhaps aspects by which we can see a process of representation. However using phrases such as phase and stage truly does give a impression of collection, a set method and there seems to be no place for connection or discussion rather the fact that teacher shows individually. Of course , this can be the truth we don’t all have someone to go over and indicate with subsequent every instructing experience.

Nevertheless it there is a distinct place for interaction and dialogue with e. g. colleagues, instructor in order to assess what went before and how we can move on. I have found that through expression with my personal mentor and by discussing points raised I have seen my personal teaching coming from another perspective and have considered on board distinct approaches. Right after starting teaching I was enthusiastic to achieve more involvement with the students within my sessions and through showing with my own mentor My spouse and i introduced several questioning techniques that have made my lessons more fun and have tips the students.

This use of Blooms’ taxonomy of questioning (1956) broadened my way of thinking about questions and as well as impacting my periods developed my literacy expertise by thinking about the way in which I communicate with other folks and attending to my target audience. The work of Boud, Keogh and Master (1985), tackled emotions and reduced Dewey’s five levels to three.

For them reflection is an activity in which people: ‘Recapture their encounters, think about it, mull it over and evaluate it. ‘ This method is very much highlighting on actions which enables us to spend time checking out why we all acted even as did, the thing that was happening inside the group and so forth This goes against the notion of reflection like a continual procedure, a way of your life, and there was clearly criticism of Boud ou al via Cinnamond and Zimpher (1990) when they asserted that: ‘They (Boud ain al) constrain reflection by simply turning it into a mental activity that excludes both the behavioural element and dialogue with others mixed up in situation. ‘ More and more I actually find myself reflecting since I’m educating and changing my educating as the session moves along to meet the needs of people who have helped bring their own look at to the program and shown me with an additional method of looking at the topic matter or perhaps prompted myself to use an example which I acquired previously ignored or ignored about. The work of Kolb (1984) have been influential for most of educators as he strategies reflection in a cyclical way as one that is certainly ongoing and constantly striving for improvement (see Diagram below).

This to me is a sensible and workable model of representation that can be put on many aspects of our life experience not only education. Among the how I been employed by in this cyclical way and developed my ICT expertise is my own use of electric power point presentation within periods. I commenced teaching applying pre-prepared electrical power points that did help to increase my classes but could still be quite dry sometimes.

By researching ways in which to boost on this I use progressed to adding computer animation, DVD fasteners, sound and was now at the same time of compiling my own electrical power point sales pitches using up currently and more relevant information that this students can easily relate to. Employing this ICT tool in this way I possess seen college students response increase as well as all their interest in additional research.

Brookfield (1995) found reflection since viewing instructing from 4 different viewpoints, he keeps that: ‘The heart with the reflective procedure is browsing teaching via four distinct perspectives or perhaps “lenses”: each of our autobiographies because teachers and learners; each of our students’ sight; colleagues’ perceptions; and relevant theoretical literature. ‘ We all come to teaching coming from different backgrounds and with varying life experiences. Using this together with information gleaned from discussion with acquaintances and pupils and researching our subject specialism to be able to keep up to date with new information can all improve the reflective process.

On my brief courses I love to find out, when possible, what type of electric powered work the scholars are currently commencing and then My spouse and i attempt to connect the theory to practical circumstances they will be familiar with. This discussion with pupils is, I believe, one of the reasons they have been so effective. Reflective practice requires a commitment to self-development and the a chance to achieve this, this as we know is one of the concerns facing us all as educators as we try to improve our teaching yet can be held up by a deficiency of resources which include time.

Instructors improve their capability to react and respond as they are teaching, to evaluate, revise and implement methods and actions on the spot. Representation is key to moving forward and providing the best education for the people students in our care. Expression Count: 774