Critical reflection on Reflective practitioner

Looking at critical reflection has made me aware of a number of ways of how we become knowledgeable as humans, and how we can extend our understanding and knowledge in many different ways throughout our lives, and the new things we learn every day. I always have a laugh with my parents because when I was younger they always told me that they knew best and it was only the other day we brought it up in conversation. I never used to listen to them and think that i was write at the time, but looking back they were the ones in the write as they had experience and knowledge of life a lot more than me. It wasnt actually till I got older that I started to listen as I was gaining more experiences form events in my life and was gaining more knowledge. So yes I admit they were right because they had more experience and knowledge then I did at that time. After reading the reader Reflection has made me aware that it offers important information we gain from our own experiences in our lives. It turns our experiences whether they are practical or certain events that happen into knowledge and experience from learning. We can also look at other peoples understanding like in my example above of my parents, in order to increase our understanding and by learning something new. Looking at the different theories has made me aware of the different ways we learn through reflective practice. (Dewey, 1916) used the term reflective thought. Reflective thought allows us to engage with our experiences and allows us to merge other experiences to create and find a meaning for ourselves. I feel that this is a practice that occurs to us in everyday life as we take risks and sometimes fail, but this makes us stronger as it teaches us to do differently next time, so we therefore links it sometimes subconsciously to our experiences. Throughout my journal there are some things when teaching that I would change as some of the students in the class didnt grasp the material learnt, as well as others. I realised that from experiencing this

as a teacher it was positive not a negative as it allowed me to look into reasons of why some of the ideas I produced did not work at that time, and has made me aware of what I would change next time to make the class run smoothly. Above all Dewey has made me aware that I should always be fully engaged and attentive of my experiences, and as a part of this I have tried out new ideas of teaching with my classes and I now write notes on what worked successfully and what I wouldnt do next time. When training myself in classes I feel that I have to visually watch the choreographer and teacher do the certain step before I attempt it myself. This style of learning is Reflective observation. (David Kolbs) cycle is a great way of showing how learners learn through their leaning styles.

This is a great implement of Reflection on how we learn. This also made me realise that when teaching students in a dance class I have to be aware of the different learning styles and the cycle made me aware that the points where we start to learn are the different learning styles, which makes sense of why some of my students could pick up the material I taught faster than others. In my journals Kolbs cycle worked best for me as it allowed me to reflect my teaching and approach the class differently next time due to gaining experience, knowledge and facts. (David Schons) idea of reflection in action and reflection of action and reflection in action is a practice that I could really relate to as a dancer. This is a practice that allows you to look back on what you have learnt in action for e.g. in the middle of learning choreography and of action for e.g. evaluating and reflecting on what you learnt

and what happened in the process. As a training dancer this is something that I automatically do in order to remember what I have learnt in order to perform the material using the correct technique and style. Throughout my reflective practice of me teaching and performing myself, I would not have been able to evaluate and reflect on my experiences in detail without a journal. (David Boud 2001) Promoting journal writing in adult education shows that there are many reasons for journal writing and gives you an idea of where you started, and your journey to what you have learnt to where you are now. This not only for us but can help others understand what we have learnt form and seen in our experiences. Journal writing has allowed me to express my feeling and emotions and record details of my classes I teach, and the classes I participate in when training. It has allowed me to be open minded and use different techniques from what I have experienced. I feel it has made me more knowledgeable and has increased my learning in the way of critical thinking (Moon 1999) These practices have been a great way for me to discover the style I learn in, and my journey of using reflective practice. From reading other peoples thoughts and ideas of reflective practice it has made me aware that we all learn differently, and what works for some may work differently for others, so has made me open minded. It has helped me gain a deep understanding of different ways and ideas to promote reflection for what I think will benefit me in the future. Above all it has made me as a teacher and performer more attentive and successful as I can use these tools to my advantage and learn from my experiences and what I may do differently next time in order to grow in my professions.

Bibliography Boud,D (2001) Promoting journal writing in adult education, Using journal writing to enhance reflective practice, San Francisco Dewey, J (1916) Democracy and education an introduction to the philopshy of education, New York, Macmillan Dewey, J (1934) Art as an experience, New York, Minton Moon, J (1999) Learning Journals, a handbook for academics, students and professional development, London Tharpe,T and Reiter,M (2006) The creative habit learn it and use it for life, A practical guide, new York, Simon and Schuster Schon, D (1987) Educating the reflective practitioner: Towards a new design for teaching and learning in the professions, San Francisco, Jossey-Bass. Websites http://www.ldu.leeds.ac.uk/ldu/sddu_multimedia/kolb/static_version.php (accessed on 31st October 2012) http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/Reflective.htm (accessed on 3rd November 2012)