Critical Reflection Essay Examples

Linking Theory To Practice

Critical reflection involves a reasoning process which allows us to make an understanding of our own experiences (Smith, 2011). It is acknowledged in previous literature that critical reflection is important regarding education to support professional development and improve

Critical reflection is a reasoning process in order to make an understanding of one’s experience (Smith, 2011). It is vital the teachers become reflective practitioners in order to support their professional development leading to improvements in the delivery of their skills rather than simply recreating professional knowledge (Smith, 2011; Larivee, 2008).

This reflective learning journal will focus on school-based observations of a local primary school which happened over a period of three months. The observations executed focus on a year 5 class along with the observations focus on a year 3 intervention group all of whom were identified as needing additional support. This learning reflection will use Gib’s six stage reflection model to draw upon my previous knowledge of learning theories within the education system and how these fit with the observations I witnessed. 6 key themes will become apparent throughout this learning journal these are; applying theory, evidence-informed practice, critical use of evidence, legal framework and constraints, the use of interventions and the role of government policy. Finally, I will reflect upon my placement and how it has aided my decision to take a step further in my future career as a primary school teacher.

Working in a different series of classrooms across the school allowed me to gain a valuable understanding of the different curriculum areas and observe different teachers approaches to teaching and control within the classroom which reiterated my previous thoughts that teaching strategies are not one size fits all (Sims & Sims, 1995).

Before starting my placement, the school asked, I complete a DBS check inline with the legal framework ‘criminal records and suitability to work with children’. Once my DBS check came back as clear the school asked me to take an online safeguarding accredited course which looking at the school policies is important in the induction of a member of staff. Despite this good effort on behalf of the school on reflection when referring to the government policy Keeping children safe in education on induction to the school I should have been presented with; the child protection policy, the behaviour policy, the staff behaviour policy (code of conduct), safeguarding responses to children who go missing from education and the role of the designated safeguarding lead (including the identity of safeguarding lead and deputies).

On the first day of my placement I felt how John Dewey would describe as a perplexing feeling (Dewey, 1909). As soon as I arrived in the classroom, I was greeted by a room of children all of whom presented different personalities. After observing the first half of the science lesson it was clear to see there was children of all different abilities. I remember finishing my first day feeling a bit deflated

Expanding on theories such as behaviourism and cognitive theories the UK Government generate policies and guidelines which are applied throughout schools. Although however these theories of learning can differ dependant on school settings.

Behaviourism founded by John Watson who argued that behaviours can be measured, trained and changed. This is one of the most commonly used theoretical perspectives regarding learning

Observation

Expanding on the work of John Watson B.F. Skinner identified two behavioural responses from children; classical and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is explained by the action which follows given stimulus which is evident in the famous example of Pavlov’s dogs. Throughout my placement I witnessed many examples of classical conditioning within the teacher’s methods an example of this includes where the teacher executed this as a behavioural management tool. Most lessons took a very teacher-centred approach there was a system within the classroom to manage noise levels, whenever the noise levels reached a certain point which was deemed unacceptable the teacher would regain control over the pupils by clapping her hands in a rhythm (this acting as the stimulus) and there after the pupils stopped what they were doing and clapped their hands to the rhythm (acting as the response).

For good work children have golden time where they are allowed to choose what they would like to play with as a reward for hard work.

This is a classic example of the behaviourist approach being used within an educational setting where the teacher is the dominant person and therefore takes control of the classroom. Although previous literature suggests that this method to teaching is a very successful method and supports Watsons notion of how behaviour can be changed or trained upon personal reflection a teacher centred working environment can have many limitations such as lessons becoming less engaging and diminishes the opportunity for group discussions etc.