CRITICAL REFLECTION
What is Transformative Learning and Critical Reflection?
Educators must be adult learners continually striving to update, develop, expand, and deepen their professional perspectives both on their subject area and on their goals and roles as educators. The educator who is not a learner becomes an assembly-line worker implementing well-worn habitual tricks and techniques to process learners' acquisition of knowledge and skills. The educator who is not a learner cannot act as a model of learning. The educator who is not a critically self-reflective learner will not be likely to stimulate critical reflection among learners (Cranton, 1994). Therefore, in order to develop and improve as an educator, it is necessary to learn from experience through reflection. Educators are always learning simply by doing their jobs. However, the process is significantly advanced by reflection, which is a fundamental part of teacher development theory. This essentially involves critical analysis of one’s practice, with the aim of reaching a new perspective with modified attitudes. Teachers must be careful to critically analyse their attitudes and actions, in order to improve. Once the educator changes their instructional practice based on the outcomes of their reflection, transformative learning occurs. |
BPortfolios
|
Traditional vs New Personal LearningTraditional Professional Learning. When it comes to professional learning, teachers have often relied on several of the following elements:
New Professional Learning. Several newer, technology-based opportunities have emerged within recent years. Consider how you might further customize your professional growth with any of these opportunities:
Website Reference: http://www.teachhub.com/professional-development-3-components-growth |
To be a critically self-reflective educator is to be a lifelong learner. The educator who feels that he or she has found all the ansuwers has stopped questioning, reflecting, and learning. Transformative learning is a continual process of growth and development for the learner and for the educator-learner (Cranton, 1994).
References
- Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide for Educators of Adults. Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. Jossey-Bass, 350 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-1310.