Reflection theories and pedagogies: cross-disciplinary perspectives (original) (raw)

Speaking our minds: issues in designing learning with reflection and reflective practice (2010)

This paper examines attempts to describe the learning and teaching practice on a postgraduate course in education and problematises why this is difficult and in many ways unsuccessful. It forms part of a larger project to explore the intentions and outcomes of interventions designed to bring about reflection and reflective practice as part of professional development planning (PDP) and the use of e-portfolio. It takes a perspective on this of being ‘a problem of the present’ and considers the potential conflicts and fragmentation that may arise as a result of the divisions in interpretation of the metanarrative of reflection and reflective practice within one course, the institution and the academy. This has impacted on learners’ understanding of the purpose and benefits of reflection and its relation to professional practice, making it difficult for them to build this successfully into their learning. The author questions the practicality of continuing this struggle given the current educational discourse on planning and developing curricula. It is argued that it may be possible for courses to maintain substantial links with the shifts towards an enhancement-led approach in which practice is validated as a dynamic and changing rather than reified in documentation.

Learning about Reflection in Teaching

2008

This chapter explores our learning about teaching through reflection. My discussion is framed around my assumption that through the integration of multiple reflective practices in the Learning and Teaching Mathematics units, pre-service teachers would be encouraged to reflect critically on their learning. Reflective practices included an introduction to multiple reflective tools (the ALACT cycle of reflection, Freewrites and Critical Incident Questionnaires) and I discuss why and how reflective tools were introduced and utilised; what we learnt from their implementation and examine the ways in which my initial assumption was supported and/or challenged. I begin this chapter with a brief review of the literature relating to the impact of reflective practice in teacher education programs and the ability (or inability) of programs to succeed in the development of critical reflection, in particular.

Reflection: can we assess it? Should we assess it?

Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 1996

This paper reports on a study undertaken by two university-based teacher educators into an aspect of professional practice. The feasibility and desirability of assessing reflection demonstrated by student teachers studying early childhood literacy was investigated. While reaffirming the importance of developing reflective practitioners, the study highlighted the difficulties of equitably or meaningfully assessing reflection. Use of alternative methodologies was called for in future research into reflection.

Harvey, M., Walkerden, G., Semple, A-L., Mclachlan, K., Lloyd, K. and Baker, M. (2016). A song and a dance: Being inclusive and creative in practicing and documenting reflection for learning

As the number of students engaging in higher education increases, so too does their diversity. Additionally, there is growing pressure on universities to be er prepare graduates for the varied paths they will pursue beyond study. In responding to these conditions it is important to develop pedagogical approaches that are both inclusive and engaging. One adaptation needed is in relation to the practice and documentation of reflection for learning. Reflection is widely practiced across higher education, and is favoured by the Work- Integrated Learning eld for the ways it helps students make sense of their learning. e ongoing reliance on journals for practising and documenting reflection has several bene ts; however, a diverse student body, engaging with diverse learning experiences, is likely to bene t from being offered diverse, flexible ways of engaging with reflective practice. Informed by student and practitioner reflective data gathered at an Australian university, this conceptual paper accepts the challenge to “disrupt” (deFreitas 2007) the text and “move beyond the diary” (Harvey et al. 2012) to present an argument for the value and role of alternative modes of reflection, spanning arts-based, embodied, mindful and technological approaches. Underpinning this advocacy of diverse mediums for reflection are the principles of inclusivity and universal design.

A song and a dance: Being inclusive and creative in practicing and documenting reflection for learning

Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice

As the number of students engaging in higher education increases, so too does their diversity. Additionally, there is growing pressure on universities to better prepare graduates for the varied paths they will pursue beyond study. In responding to these conditions it is important to develop pedagogical approaches that are both inclusive and engaging. One adaptation needed is in relation to the practice and documentation of reflection for learning. Reflection is widely practiced across higher education, and is favoured by the Work-Integrated Learning field for the ways it helps students make sense of their learning. The ongoing reliance on journals for practising and documenting reflection has several benefits; however, a diverse student body, engaging with diverse learning experiences, is likely to benefit from being offered diverse, flexible ways of engaging with reflective practice. Informed by student and practitioner reflective data gathered at an Australian university, this con...