Reflective Teaching and Learning

If things are static and unresponsive ,it can damage the reflective action.It implies responsibility ,feasibility social awareness because they are dynamic.There is willingness to engage in constant self appraisal and development.
Loudan(1991) says reflective teaching and learning is defined as a process that involves deep thinking ,introspection (examining one's thoughts and feelings) and evaluation of what happened during teaching and learning.
Deep thinking develops a culture of inquiry discovery,creativity,problem solving and inventiveness.Deep thinking is followed by action ,therefore reflective practise is a marriage of thought and action.
Pollard (1997)puts reflective practise is willingness to engage in constant self appraisal and development with the aim to improve the efficiency in teaching and learning.
Aspects for reflection are:
•syllabus
•schemes of work
•lesson plans
•lesson delivery
•lesson closure.
What is reflected on the Syllabus?
Reflection on curriculum subject topics for particular grades and broad aims.
The syllabus contains the official grades curriculum followed by that particular grade,reflect on the broad aims and content which enables teachers to come up with teaching strategies and assessment procedures.To ensure the needs of the learners are catered for hence to draw up the school based syllabus based upon the official syllabus.
A school based syllabus is a document with:
Scheme of work
Reflect what to teach ,the topic ,content ,skills ,values and attitudes.It reflect on on who to teach, that's pupils ,their ability ,interest and environment.
Reflect on teaching methodology or teaching stratergies which make learning enjoyable.Or reflect on when to teach ,that's time to teach and maturity level of the learners.
Reflection of schemes of work helps the teacher to suit the interests ,needs and abilities of the learners in the class.It also effective in subject intergration that's linking subjects with the curriculum.
The education system should be sensitivity to an environmental issues and chronological sequencing of the topics.
The teaching and learning media should taking cognisance of availability and cultural issues.
The choice of the teaching method for particular class to encompass discovery and problem solving activities.
All this is done exclusively for evaluative commenting on the work covered.
Lesson Plans
Reflect on lesson objectives,which must be SMART, introduction to be stimulative or lesson development to be logical in steps.
The reflection is of significance for meaningful breakdown of teaching learning topics.
The objectives to cater for all the learning domains which are the cognitive ,effective and psychomotor.
The selection of media that encompasses variety and use of concrete media for effective learning.The stimulating introductions motivate the learners.On lesson presentation the stages should be logical that's application stage ,consolidation stage and conclusion.
Lesson Delivery
Lesson delivery is actually marrying of thought with action.
Reflect on effective introduction ,for example presentation stages ,use of the most effective way of presenting concepts.The type of questions which shall be used in the lesson.
Reflect on presentation skills for instance stimulus variations,comments ,class control .
Application stage should make use activities which are relevant to the learner ,that are fast,average and slow learners.
In consolidation stage the teacher should consider the written work ,based on the ability of the learner .On making conclusive remarks the teacher may consider the best way to conclusure the lesson talling with the objectives.
The reasons to reflect on lesson delivery is that effective introduction motivates the learners .The use of variety of media ensures effective learning .Consolidation of concept ensure mastery of the concepts.
Generally reflecting analysis on all aspects allow on deeper ,clear and personal understanding of both pupils and the teacher.
It is a means of professional developments whereby theories and practices taken for granted are challenged and developed.Provision of a critique of professional actions and support all shift from routine actions to reflective actions.
Qualities of a Reflective Teacher
There are three basic qualities:
♣ Opened mindedness and be prepared to challenge yourself ,admit errors ,give full attention to alternative possibilities ,have desire to listen to more sides than one.
♣Responsibility ,willingness to adapt to the circumstances but also maintaining the respinsibility and securing intergrity.
♣Whole heartdness ,there is no greater energy of effective thinking than divided thinking.Reflective teachers need to be dedicative single minded ,energetic ,enthusiastic and have the learners in heart.
Problems and Challennges
Shortages of resources ,such as textbooks,material,AIDS,syllabus ,statinery.
Time is not conducive to the workload is too much so that some of the work is not completed within stipulated time.
Self discipline ,teacher's attitudes are looking for better incentive and can look elsewhere to be better paid.
Solutions
There is no formula ,but every situation can be taken on it on merits.
The role of the teacher is to change it to guide ,supervise the effective reflective teaching and learning process.