Reflection is a key element in anyone’s learning. We can actively reflect on our actions and how we handled things but we also will often do it subliminally and judge ourselves or begin to then focus where we can then improve.
Effective reflection allows us to breakdown a situation and analyse how we coped and handled each of the aspects within it. For example, I feel like I developed a good way of coping with exams throughout my senior years in high-school. After sitting my first ever two preliminary exams in third year I gained an appreciation for the pressure and desire to do well that I felt. I then went on to establish a method in which I could handle this pressure so I could achieve my best. I did this through trial and error, reflecting after each exam and finding an understanding of how I best coped. I would study hard and discuss with my peers and in the end I would succeed. I personally feel that I have therefore made effective use of reflection in relation to my own learning.
As a teacher I feel I would be able to stress the importance of reflection to my pupils; explaining that the one of the best ways to learn is to learn from our mistakes. Children should be encouraged to always try and if they fail then they must be helped to understand where they went wrong and then try again after reflecting. This can be applied in so many different ways be it behaviour in the class room and developing an understanding of right and wrong, completing tasks and solving problems, class tests and resits if required and ultimately primary education as a whole.
I remember leaving primary school but I feel like it was only in my high school education that I reflected upon it. It was then that I understood what I had learned and how ready I felt to move on. I feel like I can do that again now as I reflect over my high school education and begin the process of becoming a fully qualified teacher.
Reflection is something we all do whether we notice or not. The process is a vital part of everyone’s learning as it is incredibly important to be conscious of the fact that things can go wrong and there is always room for improvement. Reflection not only highlights to us where we can improve but it can help us learn from experiences. It has many purposes but ultimately we reflect so that we can develop our understandings and learn.
