Standard 6.2 - Reflection
Candidates regularly evaluate and reflect on their professional practice and dispositions to improve and strengthen their ability to effectively model and facilitate technology-enhanced learning experiences. (PSC 6.2/ISTE 6c)
Artifact - Professional Blog Posts
Reflection
Reflection is a frequently overlooked part of learning. Because reflection requires time to pause and contemplate a subject, it is often overlooked by teachers planning or students doing work. I have always liked to write, but usually did not use a public forum to share my ideas. I believe that blogging about topics in education helps strengthen my understanding and encourages positive habits of mind that support continued learning.
As a media specialist, I have invited professional authors to visit my students. One thing they have told my students is that it is important to write often and regularly. Having established the discipline of using a blog to regularly evaluate and reflect on my professional practice and dispositions makes me a more thoughtful, effective educator as well as a better writer. Throughout this program we have been encouraged to reflect on our learning experiences as well as topics that interest us. Since these are regular requirements, I have become more deliberate when thinking about what content I’ve learned. When I commit those thoughts to paper they become more real, and can more easily be shared with colleagues. Then, if colleagues comment on my document, we can engage in a dialog that ultimately improves instruction.
A blog is essentially an expository essay. Blog posts are typically focused on one topic, and include supporting details and facts to emphasize the author’s point. In writing these blogs I have been forced to push myself in order to clearly communicate my ideas. At the same time, I have learned about different topics in sufficient detail to be able to explain them to readers. In order to maintain the habit, I will need to continue to blog, which also means I will need to continue to read and grow, expanding my personal and professional knowledge. As I write future blog posts, I will also work on making sure my written voice is clear enough that readers can “hear” me talking.
As I read about blogging it struck me that the exercise of blogging is the ultimate authentic writing. Encouraging students to write blog posts can engage students as they share their passions. Because others may read their blogs and comment on the topics, students realize they need to do their best work to express themselves. They receive feedback immediately from a real audience, which empowers them to continue. The more they write the better readers and writers students become, since they have to use supporting details and choose words wisely.
The impact of blogging on student learning and school improvement can be documented initially through improved scores on writing assessments. I regularly post short essays on the library’s website and ask students to comment, and have noticed over the past year that their writing has become more expressive and detailed. Several of my colleagues blog regularly; using blogging as a medium for reflection after professional learning will improve teachers’ knowledge and engagement and will support retention and better understanding of material, which will contribute to school improvement as they adopt newly-learned strategies.
Reflection is a frequently overlooked part of learning. Because reflection requires time to pause and contemplate a subject, it is often overlooked by teachers planning or students doing work. I have always liked to write, but usually did not use a public forum to share my ideas. I believe that blogging about topics in education helps strengthen my understanding and encourages positive habits of mind that support continued learning.
As a media specialist, I have invited professional authors to visit my students. One thing they have told my students is that it is important to write often and regularly. Having established the discipline of using a blog to regularly evaluate and reflect on my professional practice and dispositions makes me a more thoughtful, effective educator as well as a better writer. Throughout this program we have been encouraged to reflect on our learning experiences as well as topics that interest us. Since these are regular requirements, I have become more deliberate when thinking about what content I’ve learned. When I commit those thoughts to paper they become more real, and can more easily be shared with colleagues. Then, if colleagues comment on my document, we can engage in a dialog that ultimately improves instruction.
A blog is essentially an expository essay. Blog posts are typically focused on one topic, and include supporting details and facts to emphasize the author’s point. In writing these blogs I have been forced to push myself in order to clearly communicate my ideas. At the same time, I have learned about different topics in sufficient detail to be able to explain them to readers. In order to maintain the habit, I will need to continue to blog, which also means I will need to continue to read and grow, expanding my personal and professional knowledge. As I write future blog posts, I will also work on making sure my written voice is clear enough that readers can “hear” me talking.
As I read about blogging it struck me that the exercise of blogging is the ultimate authentic writing. Encouraging students to write blog posts can engage students as they share their passions. Because others may read their blogs and comment on the topics, students realize they need to do their best work to express themselves. They receive feedback immediately from a real audience, which empowers them to continue. The more they write the better readers and writers students become, since they have to use supporting details and choose words wisely.
The impact of blogging on student learning and school improvement can be documented initially through improved scores on writing assessments. I regularly post short essays on the library’s website and ask students to comment, and have noticed over the past year that their writing has become more expressive and detailed. Several of my colleagues blog regularly; using blogging as a medium for reflection after professional learning will improve teachers’ knowledge and engagement and will support retention and better understanding of material, which will contribute to school improvement as they adopt newly-learned strategies.