Reflection is an important way of learning
Learning is a life-long process, reflection is one of the most effective ways in which that learning can happen
Published: 02:08 PM,Aug 23,2022 | EDITED : 06:08 PM,Aug 23,2022
As the summer break draws to a close and children get ready to dust old school bags back into shape, it is a good time to take a step back and think of how the summer went by, what the takeaways are, and how we can use this information for the year ahead.
Reflection as a skill has been underrated in education, in the professional field, and in real life.
The process of looking back at what was achieved and how it helps in identifying our skills and gaps which need to be filled.
Reflection is a very important part of education at every level.
As far back as the 1930s, educationist John Dewey said, “We don’t learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience”. Simply put, articulating what we learnt and how we went about it will help to work on our strengths and learn from our mistakes for the future.
Understanding the 5 Rs of reflection is useful before implementation.
They include: Reporting, Responding, Relating, Reasoning and Reconstructing.
Reflection is not a new concept at all. Coaches train athletes by viewing previous matches, scientists examine previous studies to improve on them, and event managers look to work on completed projects to improve them. In all cases, reflection is an actively conscious process, identifying core strengths and limitations.
For all professionals, reflection means to identity the big picture for the long term, but also the smaller steps in getting to it.
Typically, it requires answers to questions like what your strengths are and how you could leverage them, what your weaknesses are and how you can overcome them.
They also include what interests you most, and even what bores you most. Writing all this down will help to structure one’s path, whether as a student or a professional.
Not all reflective lessons are for immediate use. Ideally, reflections should be life long and habitual, with implementation also being progressive.
When done for the long terms, ‘strategic reflection’ means that key areas have been identified which can then be broken into smaller bits for review from time to time.
Reflection does not have to be a tedious process at all. Making it fun, like keeping a journal with pictures and drawings, or having a scrapbook with collected objects are ways to make us go back to a previous experience, whether in school or in a job.
Vlogs, short videos, a short film or even a shared podcast are also ways to reflect for those who like to use technology. There are various online applications which allow adding visuals, audio, still pictures and text which can be shared virtually with peers or teachers and team leaders.
It is said that the best way to teach is by doing. Teachers and team leaders can set an example by engaging in reflective practices to encourage others to be involved in the process.
If learning is a life-long process, reflection is one of the most effective ways in which that learning can happen.
Sandhya Rao Mehta
The writer is asso professor, dept of English Language and Literature Sultan Qaboos University
Reflection as a skill has been underrated in education, in the professional field, and in real life.
The process of looking back at what was achieved and how it helps in identifying our skills and gaps which need to be filled.
Reflection is a very important part of education at every level.
As far back as the 1930s, educationist John Dewey said, “We don’t learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience”. Simply put, articulating what we learnt and how we went about it will help to work on our strengths and learn from our mistakes for the future.
Understanding the 5 Rs of reflection is useful before implementation.
They include: Reporting, Responding, Relating, Reasoning and Reconstructing.
Reflection is not a new concept at all. Coaches train athletes by viewing previous matches, scientists examine previous studies to improve on them, and event managers look to work on completed projects to improve them. In all cases, reflection is an actively conscious process, identifying core strengths and limitations.
For all professionals, reflection means to identity the big picture for the long term, but also the smaller steps in getting to it.
Typically, it requires answers to questions like what your strengths are and how you could leverage them, what your weaknesses are and how you can overcome them.
They also include what interests you most, and even what bores you most. Writing all this down will help to structure one’s path, whether as a student or a professional.
Not all reflective lessons are for immediate use. Ideally, reflections should be life long and habitual, with implementation also being progressive.
When done for the long terms, ‘strategic reflection’ means that key areas have been identified which can then be broken into smaller bits for review from time to time.
Reflection does not have to be a tedious process at all. Making it fun, like keeping a journal with pictures and drawings, or having a scrapbook with collected objects are ways to make us go back to a previous experience, whether in school or in a job.
Vlogs, short videos, a short film or even a shared podcast are also ways to reflect for those who like to use technology. There are various online applications which allow adding visuals, audio, still pictures and text which can be shared virtually with peers or teachers and team leaders.
It is said that the best way to teach is by doing. Teachers and team leaders can set an example by engaging in reflective practices to encourage others to be involved in the process.
If learning is a life-long process, reflection is one of the most effective ways in which that learning can happen.
Sandhya Rao Mehta
The writer is asso professor, dept of English Language and Literature Sultan Qaboos University