Reflection on developing my reflective practice

 

In this task I am going to describe how I am developing as a reflective practitioner within the post-compulsory PGCE course. I am going to describe how I am developing as a reflective practitioner both in my teaching placement and also in my written assignments of the course.

In my teaching placement, I reflect on the lessons I deliver with my teaching groups. I try to reflect on a lesson per week and I record it on my reflective log. I also reflect on the lessons which I have been observed either from my mentor or my personal tutor at the University.

The reflection process involves describing the task, incident or problem which needs a possible change; analyse the nature of what is described; theorise about alternatives to solve the problem and act according to the theory. The reflection also involves the evaluation of the actions and decisions made.

In my reflective practice I try to gather as much information as possible of the particular event. I also try to know a different opinion such us other trainee teacher’s, colleague’s, mentor’s or tutor’s opinion. I also need to know (and I haven’t done it so far) my students’ opinion in order to be able to make a complete evaluation of my practice. In my lessons in the teaching placement I am using the textbook but I also use other resources such as internet or materials from other books. I use different teaching methods such as group work, discussions or quizzes. I thought I was doing well and that students were happy with my lessons. However, a teacher told me that some students were complaining because they thought they needed to concentrate more on the book rather than on other activities. I realised that I had reflected on my lessons without taking into account what the students felt. My evaluation lacked of a very important element: my learners’ opinion. I will ask and consider my learner’s opinion in my future reflective practice.

I also reflect on the written assignments I have done at the University. Once I finish an assignment and before starting the next one, I analyse what went well and what could be improved. I try to apply it in the next assignment. I use my tutor’s recommendations and also my own reflection in this task.

Being a reflective practitioner helps me develop and improve as a teacher. Analysing critical events and trying to solve problems leads me to look for other teaching methods, strategies or approaches that may work better for that particular situation. It helps to know other colleagues’ opinions and approaches that could be useful and builds up relationships with colleagues and learners by sharing one’s thoughts.