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Activities for Teachers to Become Critical Reflective Thinkers

As the saying goes, "Experience is the best teacher," and as any teacher knows, each year of teaching is a learning experience. Even for a seasoned educator, the field of education is always changing, as is the student body. This ensures different experiences each year. Thus, it if a teacher wishes to remain effective and inspiring in her job, it is important that she reflect on past experiences, both positive and negative. This critical reflection will assist in her future lesson plans.
  1. Peer Observation

    • One way for a teacher to become a more reflective thinker is to pair up with a colleague and observe each others' teaching. Before the observation, share with each other a little information regarding the students and the subject. After the observation, share with each other. This will enable the teacher to gain a new perspective on her teaching and allow her to think about it and make any necessary changes.

    Journal Writing

    • In order to become a more reflective teacher, a teacher can also keep a daily log of the day's teaching experience. Writing down what happened each day is a way to encourage focused thought and analysis of the day's experiences. This activity will actively force the teacher to be more reflective. It is best to do this soon after the school day ends so the memories are still fresh.

    Video Recording

    • Videoing a lesson and watching it later is similar to peer observation but forces self-reflection. Taping a lesson allows a teacher to see herself, sometimes literally, from the students' point of view. It allows a teacher to notice her habits and style in the moment, rather than remembering things later.

    Thinking Lens

    • Another way to become a more reflective teacher is by creating a "thinking lens," or a list of questions to help think about the day. The questions can also be generated from conversations with coworkers or parents. This question list will encourage a teacher to think and reflect on a day and others' opinions. Additionally, this method helps organize different thoughts, making it easier to discover where and how improvements can be made.

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