The Power of Reflection

George Couros notes, “Reflection, not only in innovation but also in education, is a practice to which we need to pay more attention."

Of the 8 characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset, reflection has had the greatest impact on my role in education. Whether I am teaching a model lesson, coaching a teacher, meeting with parents, or facilitating an event, reflection is critical.

In order for me to deepen my learning and to become more effective as a leader, some questions I may ask myself are:

What worked well? Why?

What did not work well? Why?

What do I need to change, add, or modify? Why?

What aspects/elements do I keep/continue? Why?

What would I do differently next time? Why?

How would I feel if I were the students? The teachers? The parents?

This does not always come easy, however. Because it requires intention, reflection is often the most difficult (of the eight characteristics), but it has the power to be the most beneficial.

John Dewey stated, “We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”  

When reflecting, I am able to self-assesses, making the necessary changes and/or modifications moving forward. The practice of reflection, and asking those valuable questions, helps me to be more effective and to better meet the needs of teachers, students, and families.

Now, imagine how powerful it would be if all educators integrated reflection into their practice, daily. What would happen if educators made a point to look back before looking forward? How would that impact schools? How would that impact instruction? How would that impact innovation? Imagine the positive changes that would occur and the effect it would have on students and their achievement?

Couros also notes, “We have a lot of schools that do variations of “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR), a concept that encourages students to read and consume information. But few schools focus on encouraging students or educators to “Drop Everything and Reflect.”

In Visible Learning, John Hattie ranks the factors that have the greatest effect size in student achievement.  Self-assessment is one of the most effective factors. So, what if reflection was also an integral part of the day for our students? What would learning look like for them? What would happen in schools, and in classrooms, if students were given the time to reflect?