Effective reflection isn't the same as detailed documentation. Writing lengthy comments about every lesson isn't reflection—it's compliance theatre.
Brookfield's Four Lenses
- Autobiographical: Reflecting on your own experiences and assumptions.
- Student Perspective: How are students experiencing your teaching?
- Colleague Perspective: Engaging with peers to broaden understanding.
- Theoretical Literature: Connecting practice to research.
Making Reflection Sustainable
- Keep it brief: A few focused sentences are more useful than paragraphs.
- Focus on patterns: Notice recurring themes rather than reflecting on every lesson.
- Use prompts: "What surprised me today?" "What would I change?"
- Connect to action: Each reflection should generate something you'll do differently.
TeachPlan prompts meaningful reflection with guided questions after each lesson—quick to complete but designed for genuine professional insight.