Reflection On Reflective Teaching

Challenging inappropriate behaviour posed by children nowadays is one of the most daunting issued faced by teachers. Few matters affect teachers more directly and persistently than managing classroom behaviour (Jim Docking, 2000). Being able to manage a classroom I found is one of the most fundamental aspects in being able to teach today. Through this critique I will investigate the different studies relating to behaviour management within a classroom, looking pacifically at several behavioural issues within a classroom and where they stem from, as well as looking into studies based on the praise system and how it is used in schools. I want to look at fundamental theorists and give a brief insight into their studies through my own experience and research I have looked into.

In response to ongoing concern regarding behaviour management a wealth of research being carried out and official documentation has been published, such as the Elton Report (DES, 1989) and the Steer Report (DfES, 2005), on ‘what works well’ in schools. Both reports hightlight that teachers were most affected by the impact of relatively minor, but persistent, low-level

The behaviour policy outlines the school's aims of how to create “a positive community atmosphere in which children can learn effectively by promoting good standards of behaviour”. The school aims to recognise and respond to good behaviour in children, promoting a positive classroom environment where the focus is on praise of children's good behaviour and work. It outlines rewards and sanctions, and sets out a code of conduct that all children, staff, parents and governors should be aware of.

Reflection on practice has different meanings, in my view it means constructive criticism: being honest with myself, becoming aware of and understanding my own strengths, and being able to review activities and constantly test assumptions related to our work. These have been my approach to critical reflection throughout the year. This is supported by Brookfield, he says that "Critically reflective teaching happens when we identify and scrutinise the assumptions that undergird how we work” (Brookfield, 1995, pg. 11-13). This is further supported by Ghaye, T & Ghaye, k (Ghaye, 1998); he argued that many teachers have benefited from learning through reflection. Their teaching and understanding of what is possible and less possible, impacts of activities on children’s learning and its boundaries have risen as a result of reflection.

This movie, The Classroom, which was very interesting to watch, discusses all that goes on in the school system, the good and the bad. But it also shows how things at home can affect the way the student acts during the school day. This movie definitely makes you look at students that act out differently, instead of punishing them maybe we should all look deeper into the issue and find a way for the student to thrive and use school as an outlet.

Students should be given choices when it is at all possible and they should always be treated with respect. Rogers presents a number of very useful and reasonable suggestions for successful behaviour management.

I find reflective practice useful both personally and professionally. When I step back, observe and reflect helps me become more self-aware and understand my own and others’ emotions. I would be able to see things from different angles. When working with families, it will help to learn how to empathize and develop a better understanding of other people. I learn to better communicate through a better understanding of behavior which will help me build better relationships with families. To support children's continuous learning, I begin to ponder and question about children’s engagement in learning and what/how we can do to improve our teaching methods to meet the needs of all the children. In the see/think/wonder thinking has changed the way

making Practice-Based Learning work Reflection on PRACTICE A resource commissioned by the Making Practice Based Learning Work project, an educational development project funded through FDTL Phase 4 Project Number 174/02 and produced by staff from the University of Ulster. www.practicebasedlearning.org Author Patricia McClure School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster www.practicebasedlearning.org contents Reflection on Practice 02

Carl A. Grant and Kenneth M.Zeichner wrote On Becoming a Reflective Teacher to ultimately question how to become an effective teacher. They reflect on the different principles of teaching, as well as explain how to break these conventions to always give students the best opportunities to learn. They do this while providing examples and suggestions on how to prepare for the unexpected and provide an adequate learning environment. Grant and Zeichner introduce the concept of a reflective teacher as somebody who can use their open mindedness, responsibility, and wholeheartedness to truly implore the children to want to learn.

The GTCNI have argued that, “Professional knowledge, by its very nature, is organic and, to an extent, evolutionary, reflecting a synthesis of research, experiences gained and expertise shared” (GTCNI, 2007:10). The GTNCI further reinforces this statement when it states that, “Teaching can never be reduced to a set of discrete skills to be mastered in some mechanical process of assimilation” (GTCNI, 2007:5). Teaching today has moved beyond the outdated view that the most important thing for a teacher was solely to have professional knowledge. Professional knowledge encompasses a range of different forms of knowledge such as knowledge on the curriculum and children and pedagogical knowledge e.g. how to manage a classroom amongst many other forms. Whilst this is still of great importance professional knowledge is of no use if you are not able to adapt this knowledge to meet the ever-changing dynamic situations that you will encounter in the classroom. This essay will examine how reflective practice can be unlisted by teachers to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their pupils as well as

Reflective practice, in this context, is not about just looking at myself in a mirror and accepting what I see blindly, without any question or evaluation. Rather, it is about looking at what I have learned and how I can utilise that learning in my teaching practice.

‘The poor behaviour of some children affects not only their learning but also the learning of others.’ (Adams 2009, page 4) This suggests that poorly managed behaviour in the classroom can have a detrimental effect on learning overall, as well as individually. This assignment will analyse how behaviour and learning are inextricably linked. This assignment will also emphasise how primary classroom teachers develop behaviour management strategies in order to promote an effective and positive learning environment.

“Be a reflective teacher. Honestly look at what you do from time to time. Evaluate the purpose of your role as a teacher.” (Robert John Meenham, 2011)

There has been a rapid increase in the ides of critical reflective practice over the last few decades, (Gould, 2004). Before we look at the value and purpose of reflective practice, it is important to take in account ‘reflective practice’ carries multiple meanings from the idea of professionals engaging in self-analysis to that of engaging in critical dialogue with others. For example, with reference to teacher education, Larrivee, (2000) argues that reflective practice is fusing together personal beliefs and values into a professional identity whereby critical reflection can take place without staying trapped in unexamined assumptions and expectations of our professional practice. Therefore, from this, it can be concluded that as a teaching professional, it is important to develop reflections on ones’ professional and pedagogic knowledge to set aspirational goals for a continuing personal and professional development, in other words, it is a way of life.

Classroom management and classroom discipline share a correlation with one another yet; they are uniquely different issues and should remain a separate focus of the teacher. (Cantor, 2006) Behavior and misbehavior also share a connection but represent different degrees of infraction. (Charles, 2008) This essay focuses on the differences and similarities of these topics and their relation to the classroom.