Don't Cancel Reflection Time #EdChat #PBLChat

One of the things that is so easy to cut when crunched for minutes is the time and space for reflection. We do this for ourselves as educators and we do this for students as well. Sometimes we ask students to reflect at home, knowing that many of them will not do this. Reflection is an important part of the learning process and it should be the last thing that is cut when completing work. As teachers, we need to build in reflection time for ourselves and for our students. 

The other part that can make reflection kind of tough is remembering what you thought about a lesson the next school year. You try to leave notes for yourself, but sometimes cannot make heads or tails of what you meant when you wrote, "Think bigger and smaller at the same time!" (Note: I actually found a note like that once to myself a year later and have no idea what I was trying to tell myself.) Reflection is not always about preparing for the next year. Sometimes it is about processing in the moment to better understand how a lesson went and using that information the next class to debrief with students. 

I built a couple of SchoolAI Spaces that teachers can use for themselves and with their students to help the reflection process. What is nice about using these Spaces is that they will remember the thread you have been using to reflect and can help you make connections over the course of the entire year. Imagine having all of your reflections available to you when you need them to compare how lessons went from the start of the year to the end of the year. 

Teacher Reflection Space

Student Reflection Space

Now imagine students having access to that powerful AI Space so they can reflect and see their growth over the year and the teacher gets the insights to explore on the backend. That would be a game changer for the teacher and for the student. Being able to connect and see the reflections taking place in real time or having a digital space where students can reflect where and when they have time. 

I just had this idea, but Admin could use a Space to share with teachers after evaluations that could help them walk through the lesson that was observed and reflect in a way that allows the admin to see their thinking in a clearer way. 

No matter the reason, reflection is a key part of the learning process and there is Science to back it up. Take the time to reflect on your work and let students do the same. I guarantee you will see benefits for everyone involved.  

Hugs and High Fives, 

NP