Reflective practice: origins and interpretations

The idea of reflection is central to the theory and practice of learning – especially learning which is grounded in past or current experience. This paper proposes a working definition of reflection and reviews its origins and recent developments. The author also provides an account of ‘critical reflection’, including its rationale and characteristics, and argues for its particular suitability in the practice of action learning.     

浅谈如何成为反思型教师

反思,是教师专业成长的必经之路。反恩型教师应该具备怎样的素质呢？一是自我意识的觉醒,二是文化底蕴的积淀。三是传统意识的复苏,四是教育目标的确认,五是课程意识的确立。     

试论培养反思型教师的思维态度——杜威“反思性思维”的启示

教师反思是教师专业发展的重要方式,同时,在教师教育、课堂教学等领域也扮演着重要角色。近年来的相关研究及改革把培养反思型教师推向了前所未有的高潮,但本文认为,教师反思首先要在思维态度上有所改观,才会有实质性的突破。依据杜威的反思性思维,尝试论述培养反思型教师的思维态度的重要性及方法,希望能有一些参考价值。     

Teachers reflecting on their work: articulating what is said about what is done

Teachers' written reflections on their work, which report on a change in their practice, were the object of this research. Taking teachers' articulation of their plans and actions in teacher journals as our source, this study's aim is twofold: (1) to describe how teacher reflect in a self‐initiated and non‐framed way on their own practice, and (2) to review teacher self generated reflections in reference to models of reflection. In this way, we tried to disclose what precisely teachers write (said) when reflecting on their work (did) in order to appreciate their way of describing what matters in their work; and position this in reference to models that conceptualise (“talk”) on how to actualise (‘walk’) reflection. This ‘double’ articulation of reflection is gauged in two ways, i.e., on: a) completeness, that is, whether it includes relevant components of reflection (models) to be found in the literature, and on b) recursiveness, that is, whether the written account gives evidence of an integrated cyclical, i.e., recursive process of re‐view, which appraises and looks back on what has been accomplished.

The results show that teachers do not work along the lines identified in current reflection models (i.e. providing clear problem definition, searching for evidence, planning for change, and reviewing plans). Instead, many teachers use a narrative and valuing appraisal of their accomplishments; not so much cautiously reviewing their actions but prospectively commenting on plans and solutions for future action. The data lead us to be cautious about the prominence of reflection models as advocated in the literature to be applied to teachers' written accounts of their practice.     

Linking action learning and inter-organisational learning: the learning journey approach

The article presents and illustrates the learning journey (LJ) – a new management development approach to inter-organisational learning based on observation, reflection and problem-solving. The LJ involves managers from different organisations and applies key concepts of action learning and systemic organisational development. Made up of practitioners from 6 to 8 organisations, the LJ visits each of the organisations to explore management practices, taking into account their particular organisational context and challenges. Following a sequence of (a) becoming aware of the particular organisational context, (b) learning about established management practices and (c) working on a current challenge as ‘comrades in adversity’, the article introduces and illustrates the LJ approach. The article closes with a discussion of the approach's challenges and implications for research on – and development of – inter-organisational learning processes.     

Scaffolding and mediating for creativity: suggestions from reflecting on practice in order to develop the teaching and learning of gymnastics

This article takes a reflective stance on the development of practice in scaffolding and mediating for creativity and potentially better performance in gymnastics. The pedagogical approach outlined illustrates how an experienced practitioner can adopt mediational (rather than meddling) and scaffolding techniques to focus on supporting the development of creativity. Various teaching tactics and their influences on the nature and direction of learning are described. Dialogic reflections from the students as well as examples of task outcomes offer insight into the impact of this approach on learning processes and performance outcomes. Reflections-in-action, on-action and post-action from this study offer suggestions about how a learning programme could be re-focused, tasks structured and mediational approaches adapted to support more creativity in the teaching and learning of gymnastics specifically and in learning in general.     

Reflective pedagogy: the integration of methodology and subject-matter content in a graduate-level course

This article presents a critical reflection on how we, instructors of a graduate-level course in higher education administration, sought to integrate theoretical and subject-matter content and research methodology. Our reflection, guided by autoethnography and teacher reflection, challenged both our assumptions about curriculum design and our process of designing and teaching the redesigned course. We found that our efforts to integrate course content and methodology differed from students’ prior experiences and resulted in a disconnection between their experience and the intended course learning objectives. Recommendations include understanding the degree program culture and students’ course expectations, using assignments that facilitate learning of both theory and methods, and balancing classroom discussion among theory, methodology, and the integration of the two.     

State control,religious deference and cultural reproduction: some problems with theorising curriculum and pedagogy in the Cambridge Primary Review

This article offers a critique of the quality of theorising underlying proposals on curriculum and pedagogy in the Cambridge Primary Review. Despite its strengths, the review is seen as omitting consideration of three major areas in primary education: gifted pupils, teacher effectiveness research and the private sector. Questions are raised about the review's use of evidence about a broad and balanced curriculum and about ability grouping. The proposals for curriculum are seen as backward-looking and bureaucratic, while its treatment of religious education is judged to be overly deferential and inadvertently sustaining indoctrination. Its proposals for pedagogy give undue emphasis to a particular form of constructivism, dialogic teaching, whilst ignoring theories of social/cultural reproduction. It is concluded that the review missed an opportunity to propose three more radical and innovatory reforms: to increase school autonomy in curriculum matters; to theorise pedagogy so as to include learning beyond the school; and, to integrate recent findings from educational effectiveness research into theorising pedagogy.     

幼儿教师反思笔记撰写中存在的问题及改进措施

幼儿教师撰写反思笔记能够促进教师专业素质的发展,提升教学能力和教学质量。但是,目前反思笔记撰写中从内容到形式都存在一定的问题。开展园内教研活动、变个人反思为集体研讨等方式是提高幼儿教师撰写反思笔记质量的有效措施。     

对高中英语教师反思日记的分析与思考

对广东省6所学校的24位不同职称的高中英语教师78篇教学反思日记进行整理、归纳、分析,结果表明：高中英语教师的反思意识不强,反思内容多样、反思水平主要在第一层次‘回顾’和第二层次理性水平上。针对教师在反思日记中进行反思所存在的问题,应该从提高反思意识、营造反思氛围、丰富反思内容、加强反思实践等方面提高英语教师反思能力,以促进教师的专业发展。     

Reflective learning in a Chinese MBA programme: scale assessment and future recommendations

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to use Chinese MBA students to validate the expanded reflective learning continuum and address the concerns raised in this regard in business education; (2) to determine whether the continuum concept holds true in a non-western culture and whether the reflective learning continuum remains a powerful force in MBA students’ learning outcomes in China. A total of 232 MBA students in China completed a three-page questionnaire that included all question items set out in the work of Peltier, Hay, and Drago. The translation/back-translation technique was employed in order to achieve a semantic, conceptual and normative equivalent relative to the original English version. The results yielded by this study and its predecessors suggest that (1) reflective learning is a multi-dimensional concept in nature, and (2) the reflective learning continuum could take on a similar picture across various social and cultural contexts. This study extends the work of Peltier et al. on reflective learning continuum in the context of Chinese higher education. Given the increased need for internationalisation of business education and the paucity of studies examining educational needs across cultures and nationalities, the results drawn from the Chinese MBA student sample provide valuable information about the degree to which Chinese MBA students take on problem-based and explorative approaches from school.     

Reflective learning and identity construction in practice,discourse and activity: Experiences of pre-service language teachers in Hong Kong

This paper reports on an investigation into two pre-service teachers' reflective learning through a series of integrated and interactive tasks (i.e., collaborative lesson planning, group consultation, microteaching and videoed reflections) in a teacher education course in Hong Kong. Relying on data gathered from interviews and reflection videos and informed by a tripartite model on teacher identity in practice, discourse and activity, the study revealed how the pre-service teachers engaged in reflective practice and identity construction in the course. The paper concludes with practical implications on how to design and implement effective reflective tasks in preparing and developing competent language teachers.     

卷舒开合任天真无情有恨何人觉--唐诗中莲荷意象探微

在唐诗中,莲荷意象的运用频繁,其内涵也很丰富,但主要有三个方面:关与爱的象征;清与静的象征;人格象征。被后世之人不断地传承,永远保持其鲜活的艺术生命力。     

Global citizenship as education for peacebuilding in a divided society: structural and contextual constraints on the development of critical dialogic discourse in schools

In post-conflict and divided societies, global citizenship education has been described as a central element of peacebuilding education, whereby critical pedagogy is seen as a tool to advance students’ thinking, transform their views and promote democratic behaviours. The present study investigates understandings of and attitudes to global citizenship and the challenges faced in its implementation. Teacher interviews highlight lack of time and resources for critical reflection and dialogue. Where opportunities for relevant training are provided, this can benefit critical engagement. Boundaries of educational systems and structures also influence pupils’ understandings of the issues as evidenced in questionnaire findings. We argue that critical pedagogies may be limited unless criticality and activism transcend local and global issues and are applied to schools themselves. Emotional engagement may be required for teachers to claim the space to critically reflect and share with colleagues within and beyond their sectors in order to enable critical discourse amongst pupils.     

反思对学生语音自主能力培养的作用

提高学生的元认知能力是英语课程改革的重点。反思是从发现问题、研究问题到解决问题的活动,语音学习需要反思也需要自主性,反思行为和自主能力实际上都能促进学习者认知与元认知能力发展,是元认知策略形成的重要标志,是元认知监控的最高级的形式。反思与自主的关系,说明了反思行为对学生语音自主能力培养有促进作用。     

Students reflecting on test performance and feedback: an on-line approach

Undergraduate students accessing on-line tests in Human Biology in three Western Australian universities were asked to complete an on-line post-test reflective survey about their perceptions of their test performance in light of automated feedback. The survey allowed pre-determined choices and comment text boxes relating to students’ perceptions of their performance, self-identified areas of difficulty and suggested strategies for improving test performance. One-third of students undertaking on-line tests responded to the optional survey, and 60% of respondents thought reflecting on feedback was useful. Students reflecting on formative rather than summative assessment reported a more strategic approach to testing, often using it to assess their knowledge and prepare for future assessment. Their reflections were more internally focused on motivation and preparation compared with those assessed summatively. Respondents were more likely to be female, older, more experienced learners who had scored well in the test. Younger respondents expected higher scores than they achieved and were less likely to reflect, but, when they did, were more likely to select pre-determined reasons for their performance and less likely to suggest strategies for improvement. These results support formal training and scaffolded integration of reflection into on-line assessment feedback, especially for less experienced learners.     

中学教师反思性教学的调查和分析

本文以中学教师为调查对象 ,自编反思性教学调查问卷作为调查工具 ,探讨分析了南京和南昌两地中学教师对反思性教学的认识特点。通过调查发现 :(1 )对于通过学生和同事进行反思性教学的认识上 ,重点中学教师和非重点中学教师之间存在显著的差异 ,其中对于通过学生进行反思性教学的认识上存在极其显著的差异。 (2 )中学教师对于通过学生和同事进行反思性教学的认识有显著的性别差异 ,其中对于通过学生进行反思性教学的认识上存在极其显著的差异     

基于教师专业发展的反思性教学思考和实践

教师是影响教学改革的关键因素之一。从五个反思层次阐述了反思教学的重要性,提出了六个实现反思教学的具体实践活动。教师把教学活动和理论学习有效地结合起来,成为问题的解决者和课堂决策的制定者,以此来提升专业水平,从而实现专业发展。