Developing a reflective approach?

Critical reading.
is important as a precursor to critical writing.

Session Aims:
To develop skills of reflection
To recognise and challenge our initial assumptions To help you develop a Personal Learning Network (PLN) To set expectations for Learning Network Groups (LNG)

Describe
In pairs describe what you have just seen. What was happening? (Event, participants, actions etc) Describe the situation without any personal interpretation.

Reflect
Discuss with your partner your interpretations of what you have seen.

Moving beyond our initial response

How can you challenge your initial assumptions?

How would you develop your understanding of the issues raised?

This is reflection
How could you define the activity of reflection?

What do we mean by reflection?

the capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning (Schn 1983)

Why reflect?
We reflect in order to: Consider the process of our own learning a process of metacognition Critically review something - our own behaviour, that of others or the product of behaviour (e.g. an essay, book, painting etc.) Build theory from observations: we draw theory from generalisations sometimes in practical situations, sometimes in thoughts or a mixture of the two Engage in personal or self development Make decisions or resolve uncertainty ... Empower or emancipate ourselves as individuals (and then it is close to self-development) or to empower/emancipate ourselves within the context of our social groups.

(Moon 1999 pp23)

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Reflect on your approach to learning since starting the course

How successful has you approach to learning been so far? What needs to change?

Personal learning networks for teachers

What are the expectations for the Learning Network Groups?

Work in groups of 4 Some weeks you will be required to meet as a group and on other weeks you will need to support each other virtually. Ensure you take a proactive role in engaging with the group tasks Look ahead at the LNG requirements for each week

What are the necessary skills for effective group work?

Independent tasks for next week

Look at ASK guide to group workhttp://www.brighton.ac.uk/ask/undergraduates/essays-and-assignments/group-work/

Watch Collaborative learning - Dylan Wiliam

http://www.journeytoexcellence.org.uk/videos/expertspeakers/collaborativelearningdylanwiliam.asp

Sign up for a Twitter account (if you dont already have one) and follow 20
people who have an interest in education/learning (e.g. teachers, lecturers, education journalists).

LNG tasks for next week

Meet as a group and share your experiences of using Twitter and other social media tools to support your learning. Drawing upon the reading, discuss and agree on ten steps to effective group work. Prepare an artefact (anything but PowerPoint) to help you present your ideas in just 2 minutes next week.