Reflective Practice and Professional Development
- Peter Tarrant - Edinburgh University, UK
Program Evaluation
The connections between reflective practice and professional development are the focus for this book, which offers guidance to support lasting change and provides strategies to enable self-initiated professional development.
The book includes:
- Traditional approaches to reflective practice
- How to enhance the effectiveness of reflective practice
- Putting reflective practice in context
- How reflective practice can improve attainment for students and staff
- An Appendix of useful resources
With case studies from new and experienced teachers, as well as examples of reflective practice from trainee teachers and from students studying across a range of Education courses, this book equips the reader to develop their own reflective practice framework. Relevant also to practitioners working across the children's workforce, it encourages personal and professional development for the whole range of professionals working in education and care.
'A welcome text that explores the importance of reflective practice in teacher training and related disciplines. The author shows us the challenges for students in learning how and why we reflect and the potential for embedding reflective practice in everyday professional actions'
-Cyndy Hawkin, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University
'It is so easy to read and certainly not one which is drowned in academic tone (such a relief!). It is very practical and I read it nodding my head as I agree with so many points. At a CAT session on Friday the probation teacher in my school was saying how useful it was for him too. The school I am in are using the reflective questions in your book to help form their weekly evaluations and are starting to implement a 'peer learning' type situation where two members of staff will be paired up to support one another in being more reflective of their practice. It is certainly a book I would recommend (and I have!) to other students'
-Suzie Kerr, Student, University of Edinburgh
A very interesting read which will allow professionals to reflect upon their practice.
This book encourages reflection on practice and professional development. It was very applicable to my early years students who recognised themes in common with their own professional practice. The particular focus on skills development and critical exercises were useful and easy to apply in a classroom context. The material in the appendices would be useful for students to adapt to their reflection and the development of follow-up action plans.
A useful guide for experienced and those new to reflective practice.
User friendly easy access, suitable for mature students not used to engaging in reflective practices. Gives students something to work with, without having to trawl through unnecessary, overly complicated discussions. Nice and practical
A very interactive text that has an engaging layout. A useful text that offers an opportunity to develop understanding of the topic
I felt this was more closely aligned to the needs of teachers (as it says it is - but sometimes things have relevance across artificial professional boundaries) and as such perhaps less relevant for us (psychologists)
Still, I think the realist standpoint is a healthy one, with its acknowledgement of the imperfections of the world in which professionals work.
I was confused by some of the writing on 'coaching' and its relation to the 'expert' role - especially if coaching is a form of 'pull' - see p27ff
Key concepts have been presented logically, the challenges faced by many practitioners when engaging in the reflective process and developing core skills are clearly presented. The chapter overview, questions to be considered and the use of case studies encourages the student to test their knowlede and develop independant independant learning
A useful textbook for staff to develop their own skills and knowledge.
A thorough in depth book. Essential reading for those wishing to improve their teaching through reflection
