Reflection

1. Get Oriented

“We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.”

~ John Dewey

Reflection is about becoming aware of your own thinking processes, and being able to make those transparent to others. It enables assessment of the "why" and "how" of the learning, and what needs to be done as a result. We will consider...

• What are some ways we can reflect on our own teaching practice?

• How do we support all learners to reflect when we are in different spaces and places and what authentic reflection opportunities will we provide?

• How can we provide opportunities (and time) for authentic student reflection?"

Reflection is a powerful strategy but how can we help students to reflect in the classroom? Reflection can take on many forms in the classroom. Reflective teachers analyze their daily practice to revise their lessons, student interactions, and approaches to instruction both during their teaching and at the end of a class. When students are given frequent opportunities to reflect on their work in various stages of progress, they better understand their own unique learning styles. By reflecting on their actions and their work students can further deepen their knowledge and skills.

Each module in this series encourages you to customize your experience to what you personally need. Pick and choose what best applies to you, your context, your comfort level, and your learners. Along the way, leverage Slack for questions, connections, and further resource sharing.

Ideally, please explore Module 8 prior to your cohort’s Zoom meeting. Your Zoom opportunities in Modules 1 through 8 are office hours where your facilitator will go deeper into module topics, structure opportunities to connect with others on the work you’re doing, and provide time for Q & A. Previewing the modules prior to those Zooms will help you maximize your time.

2. Read & View

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

~ Albert Einstein

When students and teachers routinely reflect they will be able to easily describe:

• what is intended to be learnt;

• where they have got to;

• the learning process;

• where they will go next; and

• the learning culture in the classroom.

It is the teacher's responsibility to support students to improve their skills in reflection. Teachers should model and teach reflective processes to the students, plan lessons to incorporate time for student reflection, and use those same skills to reflect on and improve their own practice. The most effective reflection for learning transfer is when it is specific, structured and accountable.

3. Reflect

This module covers broad topics around the theme of reflection. It addresses the needs our students hold both in self-assessment and peer-assessment. Consider the topic of reflection. In quick bullet points, reflect on strategies and practices that are working for you right now and also on areas of concern.

• Student Self-Assessment requires that students have opportunities and time for self-reflection. Celebrate the ways you've added those opportunities to your distance learning plan. How are students reflecting on their learning? What is working? Take a few moments to list your celebrations.

• Think about Peer-Assessment opportunities. This will look differently in distance learning. What ways can you provide authentic peer assessment opportunities for your students?

Read over your celebrations and authentic ways peer assessment can be provided. Consider how the "Practice" section below might offer you activities that maximize your strengths and uses what is already working in your classroom.

4. Practice

The following exercises are short action steps that offer you optional resources and activities to support your work in creating student centered classrooms. Consider trying one (or more!) out this week to enhance your practice. To reveal the instruction, click on the “TRY THIS” title(s) that interest you.

5. Dive Deeper

If you have time and interest, explore these optional resources for more reflection rich inspiration. Also, check Slack for what your cohort is posting to extend one another’s learning.

Showing my Work: How I Use Feedback & Self-Reflection to Modify My Lessons - John Spencer

Writing as a Tool for Reflection - Laura Lee

A Project to Prompt Student Reflection - Stephanie Rothstein

Treating Reflection Like a Habit, Not an Event - Andrew Miller

Digital Portfolios: The Art of Reflection - Beth Holland

6. Share

How can you extend your own learning and the learning of others with a post in Slack? Before moving on from this module, turn to the Module 8 channel in Slack. Consider sharing in that space:

• A strategy/prompt that is helping your students self-reflect on their learning

• A wish you have in your current distance learning classroom around the reflection process for students

• A resource that will inspire and extend our module learning

• A question you're wondering around reflection in the classroom

Keep returning to Slack for support, resources, and extensions of learning. Make the most of that participant curated space and reflect on how a similar approach might support your students.

7. Review

Take a moment to consider your own affirmations and questions:

• Do you have a strategy or approach you're going to try out this week to improve your reflective classroom culture?

• Are you celebrating the ways you're providing reflection opportunities for your students?

• Did you share an idea or question in Slack or borrow inspiration from the Module 8 (#reflection) Slack channel?

Thank you for all that you are sharing, trying, and doing for your students.

NEXT: After previewing this module, you'll engage in a corresponding Zoom meeting. However, following this 8th Module and Zoom, our sessions together end. We hope that you do take the opportunity to reflect on how you have grown and what you'll continue to take with you as educators. We also hope that you will add those reflections to the ReImagine Flipgrid and the ReImagine Padlet.

One last thing before you go …

Your constructive feedback will provide us with information for the improvement of future training sessions.

Please fill out our survey. Thank you!