Reflecting on Your Teaching Practice

Growth and Critical Thinking – Using Feedback and Critical Reflection to Refine Your Teaching Approach

Welcome to my tenth and final instalment of my ‘Insights from Teaching’ series.

Let’s delve into the importance of reflecting on your teaching practice. Reflection is a powerful tool for professional growth and critical thinking. By using feedback and engaging in critical reflection, teachers can continuously refine their teaching approach, enhance their effectiveness, and ultimately improve student outcomes.

Reflective practice involves regularly examining your teaching methods, decisions, and interactions to gain insights and identify areas for improvement. It is a dynamic process that encourages continuous learning and adaptation. By reflecting on your practice, you can develop a deeper understanding of your strengths and areas for growth, leading to more effective and responsive teaching.

Key Concepts of Reflective Practice

1. Feedback:
   • Seeking Feedback: Actively seek feedback from students, colleagues, and mentors. This can provide valuable perspectives on your teaching and highlight areas for improvement.
   • Using Feedback: Constructively use feedback to inform your practice. Reflect on the feedback received, identify patterns, and develop action plans to address specific areas.
2. Critical Reflection:
   • Self-Assessment: Regularly assess your teaching practices, lesson plans, and classroom interactions. Consider what worked well and what could be improved.
   • Reflective Journals: Maintain a reflective journal to document your thoughts, experiences, and insights. This can help you track your progress and identify recurring themes.
3. Professional Growth:
   • Continuous Learning: Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with educational research, teaching strategies, and best practices.
   • Collaborative Reflection: Participate in professional learning communities or peer observation programs to share experiences and learn from others.

Practical Approaches to Reflective Practice

1. Gathering Feedback:
   • Student Surveys: Use anonymous surveys to gather feedback from students about your teaching methods, classroom environment, and areas for improvement.
   • Peer Observations: Invite colleagues to observe your lessons and provide constructive feedback. This can offer new perspectives and ideas for enhancing your practice.
2. Engaging in Critical Reflection:
   • Reflective Questions: Ask yourself reflective questions such as: What went well in this lesson? What challenges did I face? How did my students respond? What could I do differently next time?
   • Video Analysis: Record your lessons and review the footage to observe your teaching style, student engagement, and classroom management. This can provide valuable insights that may not be apparent in the moment.
3. Fostering Professional Growth:
   • Professional Development Workshops: Attend workshops, conferences, and seminars to learn new teaching strategies and stay updated on educational trends.
   • Mentorship: Seek out a mentor who can provide guidance, support, and feedback on your teaching practice. A mentor can help you navigate challenges and celebrate successes. They can also help you focus and improve on areas of teaching practice to continue improving as an educator.
   • I was caught off guard when my mentor did something unexpected—they tracked how often I interacted with each student in a Year 9 English class. The results were eye-opening. I realised I was unintentionally giving disproportionate attention to some students while others were being overlooked. It also became clear that classroom participation wasn’t as balanced as I had assumed. This simple exercise completely changed the way I approached student engagement and equity in my teaching.

Final Thoughts: Reflecting on Your Teaching Practice

Reflective practice is essential for professional growth and critical thinking. By actively seeking feedback, engaging in critical reflection, and fostering continuous learning, teachers can refine their teaching approach and enhance their effectiveness. This ongoing process of reflection and improvement ultimately benefits both teachers and students.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on reflective practice.