Reflection provides essential benefits in the learning and teaching process. This approach must not be viewed as an additional work load or task but instead, it should be positively viewed as an approach in which one could clearly assess the weakness, strengths, as well as the possible implication of a specific strategy.
The significance of this multifaceted construct is an effective tool to help teacher educators as well as students to understand one another. Thus, in order to have a precise reflection, educators must know the six facets of this construct.The six facets of reflection presented in the paper on WGU Introduction to Reflection are arranged accordingly. In my own point of view, one should strictly follow the arrangement of the said facets because an interconnection between the former and the latter exists. In addition, none of these facets must be omitted nor given less priority because each facet has the same weight of importance. The first facet presented in the paper is Observation and Description.
This is basically the primary step in making a sound reflection.The teacher's senses must be sensitive enough to carefully observe the teaching situation and report it in an objective manner. The teacher must provide the details of the actual situation and not a situation that he perceives. Being the first step in the reflection construct, it is a must to detach biased judgment for this may result to a biased reflection outcome. Analysis, Exploration, and Reasoning follows the Observation and Description facet. In this facet, critical analysis of the teaching process is done.
The analyze situation will then be deliberately process to come out with an accurate reasoning. Pedagogical terms are usually used to explain the reason behind the analyzed teaching situation. Points that would be raise must be supported by specific examples from the situation. Connections to other effective teaching practices provide a distinct interrelation between the used teaching strategy with that of other strategies learned. Analyzing the connection between strategies would guide the teacher educator to the thought of comparing and contrasting. Thus, this would assist him to the evaluation facet.
Detailed judgment within the teaching situation is presented in this facet. A detailed judgment would mean thorough explanation or assessment and bringing out deeper thoughts that would answer the question, "Why did the situation turned out to be like that? ” In order to come out with a reasonable evaluation, the teacher educator must have observed the behaviors and attitudes of the persons involved in the situation. After thorough evaluation had been done, recommendations follow. This is done in order to improve the outcome of the teaching situation.
Certain changes on the approach used or a complete replacement on the approach is usually proposed and described. Accompanied by the alternative or modified approach is justification. Reasons must be presented to justify the recommendations that are laid. The last facet is personal meaning and professional growth.
This facet of the reflection construct shows the impact of the situation to the teacher educator. The teachers eventually assess the effect of the situation on his future teaching methods and see the implications of the reflection activities.This assessment would guide him in developing his approach or philosophy of teaching. Carrying out reflection helps prepare the teacher educator to his path of career.
It develops his awareness and sensitivity to provide a better teaching relationship with his students thus, promoting the effectiveness of learning. Experiences in the reflection program would provide the teacher educator ideas on how to make his way of teaching more appealing and would keep the students interested.Thus, this would lead to the sense of fulfillment of being a successful teacher educator. Accompanying this fulfillment is job satisfaction, professionalism, sound decision-making and student achievement. Knowing the importance of reflection leads us in achieving its goals. The purposes or goal of reflection as presented in the WGU paper include exploring complex approaches to teaching practices, problem solving, self-evaluation, improvement, and improving student growth and learning.
These goals are satisfied by knowing and understanding the six facets explained above. If the goals of the reflection process are met, then the teacher educator would become better in his line of profession. This process train teachers to conduct an analysis to his self and by doing such, he would be able to assess his weaknesses in the situation. The teacher educator would also learn to pay attention to the more important points without setting aside or neglecting minor points in the teaching strategy.With self-analysis and paying attention to details, he would be able to evaluate what was lacking on the strategy used. Thus, a concise judgment would be achieved.
Opportunities to practice reflection helps prepare the teacher in the classroom environment. It is therefore important to expose the teacher educator as early as possible to the process discussed in order for him to be more effective and confident in teaching. Effective teaching would greatly contribute to the student’s participation and achievement in the learning area.
