Understanding Reflection-in-Action in the Classroom
Reflection-in-action is super important when teachers need to make quick decisions during class. This is especially true for teachers who are still learning, like practicum students.
Imagine a lesson where students aren’t paying attention or seem confused. The teacher must quickly figure out what’s wrong and change their approach right away. This is exactly when reflection-in-action comes into play, a concept introduced by Schön.
During my own teaching experience, I faced a moment when my students looked bored and uninterested. Instead of sticking to my plan, I took a moment to watch their reactions. I noticed their body language showed they weren’t engaged. So, I quickly decided to switch from my usual lecture to a more fun group discussion. This change happened on the spot, which is a big part of reflection-in-action.
Here are some key benefits of using reflection-in-action:
Immediate Feedback: Reflecting while teaching helps teachers see how students are responding right away. This allows them to make quick changes to improve learning.
Better Engagement: When teachers adjust their lessons to fit students' needs, it can spark more interest and participation in class.
Professional Growth: Each time teachers reflect in the moment, they gain valuable knowledge and skills that help them in future lessons.
But it’s important to reflect in a helpful way. Teachers should watch out for mistakes, like changing too much too fast or running on emotions. For instance, if I had reacted to my students’ disengagement with frustration, I might have ruined the entire lesson. Instead, by pausing to reflect, I created a better learning atmosphere.
In short, reflection-in-action helps teachers manage the ever-changing classroom environment, making sure their choices match what students need in the moment and what helps them learn better.
Understanding Reflection-in-Action in the Classroom
Reflection-in-action is super important when teachers need to make quick decisions during class. This is especially true for teachers who are still learning, like practicum students.
Imagine a lesson where students aren’t paying attention or seem confused. The teacher must quickly figure out what’s wrong and change their approach right away. This is exactly when reflection-in-action comes into play, a concept introduced by Schön.
During my own teaching experience, I faced a moment when my students looked bored and uninterested. Instead of sticking to my plan, I took a moment to watch their reactions. I noticed their body language showed they weren’t engaged. So, I quickly decided to switch from my usual lecture to a more fun group discussion. This change happened on the spot, which is a big part of reflection-in-action.
Here are some key benefits of using reflection-in-action:
Immediate Feedback: Reflecting while teaching helps teachers see how students are responding right away. This allows them to make quick changes to improve learning.
Better Engagement: When teachers adjust their lessons to fit students' needs, it can spark more interest and participation in class.
Professional Growth: Each time teachers reflect in the moment, they gain valuable knowledge and skills that help them in future lessons.
But it’s important to reflect in a helpful way. Teachers should watch out for mistakes, like changing too much too fast or running on emotions. For instance, if I had reacted to my students’ disengagement with frustration, I might have ruined the entire lesson. Instead, by pausing to reflect, I created a better learning atmosphere.
In short, reflection-in-action helps teachers manage the ever-changing classroom environment, making sure their choices match what students need in the moment and what helps them learn better.