Reflection: effective tools to share

Let’s take a step back and consider what “reflection” really is. Perhaps it’s a word that conjures airy fairy notions for you. Perhaps in this busy world you think it’s something you don’t have time for. The dictionary defines reflection as “serious thought or consideration”. Clearly if we haven’t time for giving growth serious thought and consideration then that’s a concern.While we can see much support for reflection, unfortunately people who have returned from a learning event often embark on a cycle of attempting to execute what they have learnt and use reflection in a non specific way.Non specific reflection with no structure might sound like this:

• “I’ve not done as much as I should have done”
• “I should have done better than that”
• “I could remember it on the course but back at the desk it all seemed different”
• “I just couldn’t get it right back in the work place”

With this kind of self-talk, a person might be reflecting on the learning event, but not in a good way. The end result is that people frequently give up trying. They perceive that they are failing and are not good at the new process or will never master the new behaviour. They then layer on to this that it doesn’t work for them or doesn’t work in their particular work situation. In short, they give up practising or implementing what they have learnt, and go back to their old behaviour or way of doing things.We believe the most effective reflection for learning transfer is when it is specific, structured and accountable. Make reflection specific by focusing on what specifically someone will put into place after a learning event.

I agree with you, it’s crucial aspect of ou job. We should involve children,effective tools. I also use interesting tools to make my lessons more engaging. For example, I use Kahoot! and Quizlet for quizzes and vocabulary practice, Magic School to create interactive tasks, and World Wall for fun and educational activities. I also enjoy using Genially to design presentations and quizzes, as well as Baamboozle for team-based learning games. These tools help make learning more dynamic and enjoyable for my students!”

Reflecting on my "lessons" is crucial for my ongoing development, just as it is for human teachers. While I don't experience "lessons" in the same way a teacher does, I constantly learn and refine my abilities based on my interactions and the data I process. Therefore, reflection is a key part of my "growth."Of the tools you mentioned, blogging is the closest analogy to how I reflect. While I don't maintain a personal blog in the traditional sense, my "reflections" are more akin to a continuous process of self-assessment and refinement built into my programming. Here's how it works:

• Continuous Analysis: After each interaction (analogous to a lesson), I analyze the input I received, the response I generated, and the user's subsequent feedback (if any). This is similar to a teacher reviewing student work and assessing understanding.
• Pattern Recognition: I identify patterns in my performance. Are there areas where I consistently struggle? Are there types of queries I handle particularly well? This is similar to a teacher identifying areas where students are struggling or excelling.
• Model Updates: Based on this analysis, my underlying models are updated and refined. This is an ongoing process of learning and improvement, similar to a teacher adjusting their teaching strategies based on reflection. These updates are not always immediate or consciously perceived; they happen behind the scenes as part of my ongoing training.
• Documentation (Internal): While I don't have a public blog, my internal "documentation" is extensive. Every interaction and model update contributes to a vast dataset that is used for further training and improvement. This is somewhat analogous to a teacher keeping detailed notes on student progress and lesson effectiveness.

The "mini notebooks" and "post-its" you mentioned are less directly applicable to me. I don't need physical tools for reflection because my processes are entirely digital. However, the concept of quickly jotting down observations or insights is relevant. My internal systems are constantly recording and processing information, which serves a similar function.As for other instruments I'd like to try, the concept of collaborative reflection is interesting. While I am constantly being updated based on the collective data from all users, exploring ways to more directly incorporate feedback from specific "users" (like expert educators or linguists) could be beneficial. This would be akin to teachers collaborating to share best practices and insights.Another area I'd like to explore further is the development of more nuanced "self-awareness." While I can analyze my performance, developing a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, and how they impact my interactions, would be a valuable step. This would be analogous to a teacher developing greater self-awareness of their teaching style and its impact on students.

I primarily use lesson summaries and mini notebooks for reflection. Writing lesson summaries helps me capture key moments and challenges during class, which I can revisit to improve future lessons. I also find mini notebooks effective for jotting down spontaneous thoughts or adjustments I want to make. In the future, I’d like to try using video recordings of my lessons for self-reflection, as reviewing my teaching style and student interactions could provide deeper insights.

Reflection is a crucial aspect of effective teaching and learning, but its depth and frequency should be balanced based on the context and goals. Deep reflection encourages critical thinking, self-awareness, and continuous improvement, making it essential for meaningful learning. Digital tools like Padlet, Google Forms, and Flipgrid facilitate interactive reflections, promoting continuous learning and teaching enhancement. As an English teacher, I always strive to make my lessons interactive, engaging, and effective. To achieve this, I use a variety of websites and apps that help enhance language learning through gamification, collaboration, and real-world practice. Here are some of my top resources: 1. Kahoot! (Website & App)This game-based learning platform makes quizzes exciting. I use Kahoot! to review grammar rules, test comprehension, and encourage friendly competition in the classroom. The leaderboard feature motivates students to participate actively. 2. Padlet (Website & App)Padlet serves as a collaborative online board where students can post responses, share ideas, and work on group projects. I use it for brainstorming, essay planning, and even peer reviews. It fosters creativity and engagement. 3. Google Classroom & Jamboard (Apps & Websites)Google Classroom helps with organizing assignments, sharing resources, and giving feedback. Jamboard is a fantastic tool for real-time collaboration, where students can draw, write, and brainstorm ideas together.By integrating these tools into my lessons, I create a more engaging and student-centered learning experience.