EDU 387W - Reflective Practice: Education for Personal and Professional Growth

Credits: 2

Explores, in a communal atmosphere of trust and thoughtfulness, the roles of reflection, community, and creativity in the development of meaning and purpose in the personal and professional lives of educators. Explores questions of pedagogical meaning and purpose common to educators, and connects these with practices such as reflective writing, readings in a variety of disciplines, and creativity intended as springboards for personal and classroom applications. Includes a meaningful project such as a series of self-guided readings, an introspective practice like meditation, a journal, memoir, revamped syllabus, set of classroom practices, or other appropriate self-generated project. Credit may be earned in ED 387W or EDU 387W but not both.

Prerequisite(s): Open to all full and part time faculty and staff and by permission of instructor.
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 30 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Use ongoing reflective practices and tools including writing, reading, guided introspection, and interactions with fellow educators to further professional and personal growth.
1. Demonstrate through writing and verbal representation that one is using meaningful practices of reflection.
2. Create and apply a personally meaningful practice that furthers development and growth as an educator.
3. Identify, through reading and introduction to and modeling of various reflective practices, guest speakers, and interactions with class and instructor, a practice that will be of continuing use for professional and personal growth.
Create a project that is professionally and personally meaningful:
1. Present a version of the project to the class, and, if appropriate, to the Delta community.
2. Develop and implement the project
3. Generate ideas, with help of class and instructor, for the project, which may include development of an introspective practice, a series of writings such as poems, or a memoir.
Work cooperatively with colleagues for growth and renewal of professional practice through reflection and on-going connection.
1. Develop a support system that encourages an ongoing relationship with a colleague or colleagues beyond the time frame of the course that will support reflective practice leading to professional and personal growth and community-building.
2. Develop, individually and as a group, a strong sense of mutually-supportive cohesion through techniques such as shared writing, shared teaching/educating stories, online communication, pairing and group activities.