Reflective Teaching Research Articles

Reflecting the voices of EFL teachers in the world of Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Assessment (ICALA): an insight into teacher immunity, reflective teaching, job satisfaction, and L2-teacher grit

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Assessment (ICALA) are transforming the educational landscape by radically changing how lessons are taught and students are evaluated. As the masterminds behind the curriculum, it is critical to consider the emotional and mental health of teachers who applied ICALA as part of their language instruction. To this end, this study’s primary objective was to examine the connections between ICALA, teacher immunity, reflective teaching, job satisfaction, and l2-teacher grit. To achieve this goal, 221 English as a foreign language (EFL) university teachers from Afghanistan participated in the current research. The research outcomes identified and quantified the influences of teacher immunity and reflective teaching on job satisfaction and L2 teacher grit by data screening utilizing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). According to the results, TI and RT are vital in implementing AI into language assessment by maintaining an uninterrupted JS and L2TG. The study’s ramifications are further elaborated upon.

I see you: teacher analytics with GPT-4 vision-powered observational assessment

This preliminary study explores how GPT-4 Vision (GPT-4V) technology can be integrated into teacher analytics through observational assessment, aiming to improve reflective teaching practice. Our study develops a Video-based Automatic Assessment System (VidAAS) powered by GPT-4V. This approach uses Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to provide detailed insights into classroom dynamics. Our study encompasses various methods with multiple steps: a comprehensive literature review, prototype development of the VidAAS, and usability testing with in-service teachers. The study findings reveal that VidAAS demonstrates high accuracy in evaluating skills in the behavioral (psychomotor) domain and offers comprehensive explanations for each assessment. While showing promise in these areas, the system also indicates potential for further enhancement in processing speed and refinement in assessing cognitive and affective domains. We discuss how VidAAS supports teachers’ reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action, emphasizing the need to balance AI-driven insights and human judgment. Our study findings also guide future research avenues for VidAAS design, implementation, and integration in teacher analytics, underscoring GPT-4V’s potential for real-time, scalable feedback and a deeper classroom understanding.

Self-reflecting strategies applied by EFL high school teachers for teaching quality improvement

ABSTRACT Recent studies in Vietnam found that metacognitive strategies were employed with consistent practice to enhance student learning outcomes significantly. Positive perceptions of reflective teaching practices contribute to teachers’ professional development regarding teaching quality and student outcomes. This study aimed to examine common self-reflecting strategies that were most frequently implemented in the teaching process to improve teaching quality. The tools of the questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were employed to collect quantitative and qualitative data for this descriptive study. The participants were EFL teachers teaching at high schools in most of the provinces in the Mekong Delta. The research findings showed that teachers perceived common strategies of self-reflecting, although they did not often apply them in their teaching performance. Regarding this, they focused on implementing peer observation, students’ feedback, and teachers’ diaries instead of video – audio recordings in their teaching. Some pedagogical implications and research suggestions about the effectiveness of the application of self-reflecting strategies in improving teachers’ teaching or developing their profession were proposed in the study.

Reflective teaching in Ethiopian secondary schools: examining teachers’ characteristics and engagement

ABSTRACT This quantitative study surveyed 361 secondary school teachers in South and Central Ethiopia to examine their engagement in reflective teaching and its relationship with gender, qualification, and teaching experience. The study used descriptive survey design and structured questionnaire to collect data. Results indicated that teachers had minimal overall engagement in reflective teaching. Results also showed insignificant difference between male and female teachers’ engagement in reflective teaching. However, there were significant differences in teachers’ engagement in terms of their qualification and teaching experience. In this regard, teachers with Bachelor of Education had the highest level of engagement, followed by Master’s and Applied degree holders. In addition, mid-career teachers had the highest level of engagement, exceeding the level both novice and veteran teachers had. The findings suggest the need to revisit existing pre-service teacher education programme, identify teachers’ engagement patterns, identify their specific needs, design and run tailored in-service professional development programmes, and establish support system to promote reflective teaching in Ethiopian secondary schools. Most importantly, the findings suggest the need for teachers to actually engage in reflective teaching in their professional contexts.

Exploring factors influencing secondary school teachers’ engagement in reflective teaching

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influenced secondary school teachers’ engagement in reflective teaching. A quantitative approach with survey design was used in the study. To collect relevant data, a structured questionnaire which had 33 items was administered to 361 teachers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to gauge the key factors. The results of structural equation modeling illustrated and validated that five independent variables, including inadequate professional development, lack of time, unsupportive school culture and leadership, resource constraints, and inadequate recognition, had significant impact on teachers’ engagement in reflective teaching. In line with the findings, the study suggests the need for school leaders and respective bodies to provide adequate professional development through arranging tailored schemes, institute supportive school culture and leadership, ensure sufficient time and resource provision, and recognise the importance of reflective teaching in order to encourage its practice in secondary schools.

Evolution of Teachers' Teaching Beliefs About Mathematics in a Teacher Education Program.

Teachers' teaching beliefs encompass the underlying perspectives that they hold. These beliefs significantly influence teacher actions in complex ways, thereby impacting the implementation of curriculum reform. However, existing research has revealed inconsistencies between teaching beliefs and actual practices. Employing a case study approach, this study adopts a reflective belief model to address this issue and explore the mechanisms of teaching belief formation within the context of a teacher education program in China. The findings indicate that teaching beliefs can evolve and develop through five dimensions: justification, exemplification, consistency, connection, and practicality. By considering these dimensions within the framework of the reflective belief model, we can better comprehend the inconsistencies between belief and practice. Teacher educators can utilize this understanding to foster the cultivation of reflective teaching beliefs for teachers within training programs.

Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' professional development needs in educational contexts: Exploring the challenge of reflective practice.

This study investigated Iranian, English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers' attitudes toward reflective teaching compared with their classroom assessment preferences and up-take of strategy-based instruction. It compared their views in the two key higher education provider contexts of the university and institute. In this cross-sectional correlational study, a total of 90 teachers, half drawn from each university in a major city in Iran, were selected using controlled quota sampling. Data were collected through a four-part survey. Besides gathering demographic data (Part A), the survey drew upon three established instruments that used a Likert Scale format. Part B comprised the Teacher Reflectivity questionnaire, and Part C focused on the Classroom Assessment Preferences Survey Questionnaire for Language Teachers. Also, part D administered the Teachers' Beliefs Inventory for Strategy Instruction. The reliability of this and the CAPSQ-LT was confirmed by the researchers using Cronbach's alpha at 0.842 and 0.951, respectively. A total of 90 questionnaires were distributed, with 72 fully completed (80%) and returned. the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed to analyze the data, using the independent sample t-test and ANOVA. Also, Pearson product-moment correlations were used to measure the association between the variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. As shown in findings, a statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the teachers' reflective teaching scores and classroom assessment preference scores (r=0.473, p0=.001). This correlation was moderately high and positive, thus supporting that higher teacher reflective practices reflect a broader application of classroom assessment. The Table also shows that there was no significant correlation between the teachers' attitudes toward reflective teaching and their uptake of strategy-based instruction (r=0.094; p=0.434). Similarly, there was no statistically significant correlation between the teachers' attitudes toward classroom assessment preferences and their beliefs about strategy-based instruction (r=0.038, p=0.752). As shown, no statistically significant difference was observed between the teachers' attitudes toward reflective teaching and their uptake of strategy-based instruction (p<0.05). This study draws attention to the need for teachers in EFL contexts, such as this, to have access to professional development opportunities that deeply engage and guide them to be reflective practitioners who can make the connections between assessment techniques, strategy-based instruction, and students' improved language learning outcomes.

Exploring the Impact of MBTI Personality Types on Teaching Methods

The importance of personality traits impacting teaching practices is comprehending how teachers at different educational system levels treat learners, develop curricula, adopt applications and technologies, and give feedback. This research studies the influence of the correlation between the MBTI personality types of educators in the University of Swat and their teaching preferences, in addition to identifying educators’ learning style preferences connected to organized and flexible lesson planning, and active and reflective teaching. Under a quantitative research design approach, a structured questionnaire was completed by 50 teachers and associated staff. MBTI was used to determine participants' personality types with the researcher having established a Teaching Preferences Questionnaire to determine the participants’ perception about various teaching and learning styles. The feedback provided was made using a 5-point Likert scale and data analysis was done using SPSS version 27.0. To test the correlation between the various teaching preferences and the MBTI personality types, a set of statistical tools which included independent T-tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square tests, logistic regression, and Pearson correlation test were employed. This study revealed a significant relationship between personality traits and teaching behaviors. Teachers with relatively greater levels of feeling-oriented and intuitive characteristics were observed to adopt a dynamic approach to teaching which involved students incorporated concepts such as teaching involving students and had greater empathy and concern towards students. It was also found that students with certain personality types are more willing to adopt different technologies for enhancing the processes of teaching and learning. The study reveals a profound influence of the personality traits formulated by the MBTI on the choices of educators in teaching and the real methods applied. More specifically, the features of being feeling-oriented, intuitive, and judging predetermine the outlook on approaches to Active Teaching, structured lesson planning, application of technology in the learning process, and feedback methods.

Integrating Reflective Teaching with Dynamic Assessment to Enhance EFL Teachers’ Autonomy, Self-assessment, and Communication Skills

Integrating Reflective Teaching with Dynamic Assessment to Enhance EFL Teachers’ Autonomy, Self-assessment, and Communication Skills

Dissemination of Light Reflection Teaching Aids as an Effort to Improve the Quality of Science Learning at Mi Nurul Huda, Pulutan, Nogosari, Boyolali

Dissemination of Light Reflection Teaching Aids as an Effort to Improve the Quality of Science Learning at Mi Nurul Huda, Pulutan, Nogosari, Boyolali

A Perspective on Digital Storytelling Experiences of Primary School Teachers on Teaching Controversial Issues in Turkey

In this study, it was aimed to determine the sources of concern of primary school teachers in terms of controversial issues and the difficulties they experience in instructional processes and to improve their teaching skills related to controversial issues with digital stories. In this context, participatory action research method was utilized. A four-week action plan based on controversial issues supported by digital stories was implemented. The participants of the study consisted of four teachers. During the implementation process, digital stories based on controversial issues prepared by the researchers within the scope of action plans were utilized. Semi-structured interview form, focus group interview form and reflective teacher diary were used as data collection tools. The data were analyzed using content analysis through MAXQUDA 2020 program. As a result of the research, the problems faced by primary school teachers in teaching controversial issues are insufficiency of time, difficulties in managing the discussion, requiring intensive preparation, problems arising from cultural background, inadequacy of materials, inadequacy in terms of textbooks, overcrowded classes, lack of family support, extending the discussion outside the classroom and receiving negative reactions from school administration. When the experiences of primary school teachers in teaching controversial issues supported by digital stories are examined, it is seen that ensuring active participation, arousing interest/curiosity, developing a positive understanding of the lesson, associating with real life, moving away from textbooks, concretization, technology integration, increasing permanence, gaining a desire for research, developing interdisciplinary understanding findings have been reached.

Psychological well-being and autonomy are guaranteed: an analysis of the significance of cognitive emotion regulation and reflective teaching in the careers of university EFL teachers

PurposePsychological well-being is a central aspect of mental health, and it can be defined as the presence of enjoyment and fulfillment, as well as resilience. Different factors are critical in the tone and melody of language teachers’ psychological well-being. Cognitive emotion regulation (CER) pertains to the intentional cognitive strategies employed by educators in order to regulate and confront emotionally taxing content.Design/methodology/approachA quasi-experimental strategy was used in the present experimental analysis. A total of 87 EFL students were split into two groups: one to participate in the experiment and another to serve as a control. The control group of students got regular teaching without any changes or additions to their books.FindingsPath analysis results demonstrated that cognitive emotion regulation and reflective teaching were able to accurately forecast the teachers' psychological well-being at the institution.Practical implicationsThe study's results suggest that it is essential for teachers, including language instructors, to undergo training in cognitive emotion regulation and reflective teaching in order to ensure their psychological well-being.Originality/valueTo achieve an optimal level of CER, educators must be equipped with a repertoire of effective strategies to promote the necessary equilibrium. Reflective teaching encompasses the critical analysis of an educator's fundamental convictions about pedagogy and the acquisition of knowledge, as well as the evaluation of their teaching process. To date, no study reflects on the possible connections between these variables in a single study. In light of this, the focus of this study was to discover how reflective teaching and cognitive emotion regulation affect the psychological health of English as a foreign language (EFL) university professors.

E-learning-oriented assessment and collaborative reflection for situated learning in language teacher education

Online teacher education programs can be more situated by engaging student teachers in Internet-based collaborative reflection (ICR) and e-learning-oriented assessment (ELOA) via Web 2.0 technology. Thus, this study explored how the role of English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) student teachers’ ICR practices and ELOA can enhance student teachers’ situated online teacher education. In this qualitative study, 15 Iranian EFL student teachers were chosen purposively within a transcendental phenomenology to conduct ICR on ELOA practices during situated learning in online teacher education. The results showed that implementing ICR on ELOA tended to enhance student-centered teacher education; collaborative and reflective teacher development; social, professional, cognitive, and emotional growth; and the connection of teaching, learning, and assessment within online teacher education. More specifically, ELOA practices allowed for meaningful tasks and authentic activities based on practical experience, triggered continuous feedback on EFL student teachers’ performance via technology, directed online learning and teaching, and enhanced a performance-based and learning-oriented assessment process. Pedagogical implications for the design of student teacher programs are discussed.

Reflective teaching as a form of continuous training: tata city as a case study, Morocco

ABSTRACT This study investigates EFL teachers’ perceptions, challenges, and practices of reflective teaching in the provincial directorate of the Moroccan Ministry of Education in Tata. A mixed methods research design was adopted, with 42 EFL teachers participating in the study. The data were collected through a five-point Likert scale questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and the analysis of three official Moroccan documents. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. The findings revealed that the EFL teachers perceive reflective teaching as a tool for professional growth and informed teaching practices, but face personal challenges related to schools, and the Moroccan Ministry of Education. The study highlights the value of reflective teaching and identifies the challenges that need to be overcome especially lack of interpersonal skills, heavy workload, and absence of institutional programs. It also reveals that keeping journals and holding discussions with EFL teachers are among the preferred practices of reflective teaching in the provincial directorate of the Moroccan Ministry of Education in Tata. The study has direct implications for policy makers and research.

Exploring the Use of Reflective Practices among Teachers of English in Nigerian Secondary Schools

Reflective practice has been reported to be effective in enhancing teaching and learning. However, many teachers of English in Nigeria are not aware of it. Thus, this study investigates the awareness and implementation of reflective practices among English language teachers in Nigerian secondary schools. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and 77 teachers were selected to participate in the study. Data for the study were collected using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study discovered that most of the respondents have a low level of engagement in reflective practice in their teaching activities. The findings also suggest a lack of awareness of reflective practices among the majority of respondents. Additionally, the study discovered that even those with some awareness of reflective practices rarely followed established steps for incorporating reflection into their teaching. This indicates a significant gap between theoretical knowledge and practice. Thus, the study makes recommendations for professional development programs to familiarize educators with the concept of reflective teaching and its potential impact on instructional effectiveness.

Implementing a process-based reflective teacher training course through situational role play, video, and scenario evidence and its effects on EFL teacher candidates’ perceptions of caring and reflective practices

ABSTRACT The current study examined the teacher candidates’ perceptions of ways a process-based reflective teacher training course-especially those focused on bumpy moments in the classroom, through situational role plays, video reflections, and scenarios- could assist them in their reflective and caring practices. In this regard, a sample of 45 pre-service teacher candidates enrolled at a teacher education university in Iran partook in the study and filled in the reflective and caring practices questionnaire before and after the treatment. Moreover, three teacher candidates were offered to keep reflective journals about the procedure based on their observations. Furthermore, pre- and post-phase interview was conducted with 15 participants. The results of this study revealed that the participants across all three intervention groups experienced improvement as a result of engaging in the teacher training course. The scenario group had the highest mean, followed by the video group; the role play group showed the least amount of improvement in reflective questionnaire mean score of all the treatment groups. The implication is that the process-oriented reflective teacher training course through situational role-play, video-based reflection, and scenario-based reflection can make teacher candidates more cautious about the caring and reflective aspects of their teaching.

Teaching of reflection in higher education: a narrative review.

Healthcare professional students (HCPs) are encouraged to utilise reflection during and after their study programmes as a part of their life-long learning skill and professional competencies. However, the way in which the concept of reflection is taught and its' influence students' capacity to reflect have not been fully explored. This narrative review aimed to explore how the concept of reflection is taught in higher education and how the teaching of reflection influences HCP students' capacity to reflect. Articles that were published during 2014-2024 within three databases, PubMed, CINAHL and ERIC were searched. 1929 articles were eligible for screening. 93 articles were further assessed for eligibility. 18 articles were included. The included articles were geographically well-distributed in both the Global North and Global South countries, indicating universal interest in the topic. Eight articles had qualitative study designs; six had quantitative designs and four had mixed-method designs.Conceptually, the teaching of reflection could be categorised as a spectrum, ranging from: i) structured format (reflective templates or debriefing); ii) semi-structured format (physical/virtual small group discussions, video recordings, AI generative arts, in-verse reflection and concept mapping) and iii) flexible and creative (art-based pedagogy or narratives).All included articles indicated students actual and perceived better understanding of reflection. This claim is supported both quantitatively and qualitatively via either validated instruments or narratives and themes based on students' textual outputs. This review identified several teaching methods that help facilitating students' capacity to reflect. Findings are unable to recommend the most efficient way to teach reflection since it depends on students' progress in their programmes. However, a more relational approach to teaching of reflection is recommended. Students might begin their reflective journey with a structured format of teaching of reflection then gradually move to less-rigid format of the teaching to empower students' autonomy.

Newly qualified teachers in the eyes of principals: Moving beyond deficit perspectives

AbstractFeelings of shock, a difficult professional socialization process and unrealistic expectations create a challenging career entry phase for teachers. Too many newly qualified teachers feel stressed and leave the profession early, leading to a lingering teacher shortage. Much research in the field and many well-meant support interventions follow a deficit perspective and overlook newly qualified teachers’ potential for school development. This study aimed to better understand how school principals, a crucial but comparatively under-researched stakeholder group, characterize newly qualified teachers’ competences. Q methodology was selected to holistically study the views of 24 principals of compulsory schools in Southern Sweden without imposing any potentially deficit-oriented categories. Following standard protocol and enriched with interviews, four distinct factors were identified and qualitatively interpreted. Results show that newly qualified teachers are perceived as confident and well-prepared concerning pedagogical and didactical aspects of their profession. Regarding the use of digital tools, they are regarded as assets for school development, while diversity management and relationship-building emerged as areas of improvement. Based on our findings, we argue for more practical elements during campus-based pre-service teacher education and an intensified focus on reflective teacher identity development. Teachers’ career entry phase should be treated as a specific area of in-service teachers’ professional development at teacher education institutions, where a strengthened cooperation with employing schools will be particularly important. We expect these adaptations to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of support matters and provide future avenues that acknowledge newly qualified teachers’ expertise.

The Impact of Reflective Practices among Mathematics Teachers who enrolled in the Higher Diploma Program for Pre-Service Teacher Education at Yarmouk University in Developing their Professional Performance

The study aimed to demonstrate the impact of reflective practices on the development of professional performance. the study relied on the descriptive analytical approach. The research community was represented by all mathematics teachers enrolled in the higher diploma program for teacher preparation before service at Yarmouk University. a random sample was selected represented by (110) teachers, a scale of reflective practices was prepared, and the results of the study showed that the level of impact of reflective practices on the development of professional performance came to an average degree, and the areas of reflective practices came in descending order as follows): (The field of classroom management, the field of planning, the field of teaching implementation, and then the field of evaluation), and it turned out that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.05) between the responses of study personnel depending on the gender variable. The study recommends spreading awareness and the culture of contemplative practice and its tools by holding training workshops for students and teachers. The need to increase teachers’ interest in employing reflective teaching to develop their abilities in reflective practice. The study also recommends that teachers, both male and female, should pay attention to using assessment for students in order to improve their academic performance.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Reflective Teaching Practices in Cultivating Diversity Awareness in Teacher Education

This study evaluates the effectiveness of reflective teaching practices in cultivating diversity awareness among pre-service teachers in the UK. Employing a qualitative research design, the study examines the implementation and outcomes of reflective practices in selected teacher education programs through interviews, focus groups, classroom observations, and the analysis of reflective journals and portfolios. The findings indicate that structured reflection sessions, diverse teaching materials, and robust mentorship and peer feedback significantly enhance pre-service teachers’ understanding and appreciation of diversity. However, challenges such as resistance to change, time constraints, and lack of resources hinder effective implementation. The study contributes to the field by highlighting key components of effective reflective practices and providing empirical evidence of their impact on diversity awareness. Recommendations for future research include exploring the long-term effects of reflective practices and conducting comparative studies across different educational contexts.