One of the great exponents of critical reflection is
Jack Mezirow. His fundamental approach is that we should critically reflect on
our assumptions (CRA) as to have a principled approach to our thinking. He
suggests that if we do adopt this approach, the results will be transformative.
Mezirow called critical reflection of assumptions and self- reflection on
assumptions the ‘emancipatory dimensions of adult learning’.
By reflecting critically, instead of continuing with
our feelings of self-doubt, that we are imposters in our classrooms, or that we
are failing as teachers, we can become positive in our search for new
understandings of our practice. Ultimately we can be in control of our
professional practice and acknowledge that we cannot transform everything, but
can identify the spheres in which we can , that this process is truly
emancipatory. Hillier (2012)
Experience in itself does not guarantee learning. In
order to learn from experience we must reflect on our experiences, try and
relate them to theory and then improve on them. This is a continual process
that is repeated, a cyclic experiential learning process. The ‘experiential
learning cycle’ was first suggested by Dewey but developed by David Kolb. Petty
(2014)
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