Reflection, Collaboration and Technology
“We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience.”
-John Dewey 1
According to Dewey(1910), reflection has 4 key criteria:
1) It is a process which moves the learner from one experience to the next
with deeper understanding of it’s relationships with and connections to other
experiences and ideas
2) It is a systematic rigorous disciplined way of thinking
3) It needs to happen in a community ,in interactions with others
4) It requires attitudes that value the personal and intellectual growth of oneself and others
(Rodgers, 2002, p. 545)
Dewey believed that reflection was an interactive experience, which is a “complex, rigorous, intellectual and emotional enterprise that takes time to do well. “ (Rodgers, 2002, p. 844). This concept of reflection through interactions with others is mirrored in Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory. Social Development theory is based on the idea that learning is a reciprocal relationship between teachers and students who are collaborating to construct meaning (http://www.learning-theories.com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory.html).It is through these interactions and collaborations that knowledge is constructed. It is a continuous process by which both teachers and students must reflect in order to contribute to the process of construction of knowledge.
Studies have shown that reflection especially critical reflection and inquiry is becoming increasingly important to both students and teachers ( Rodgers, 2002). It is through reflection that individuals can co- construct knowledge, “ having to express oneself to others so that others truly understand one’s idealism reveals both the strength and hole’s in one’s thinking” ( Rodgers, 2002, p. 856). It is through others that we are able to adjust our thinking and make meaning of our experiences.
Technology advancements provide many different ways in which this type of community reflective experience can take place. “Computer-mediated Communication affords convenience and flexibility and extends space for interaction…[we] do not have to rely on face-to-face contact to communicate and/or interact with each other”
( Ruan & Beach, 2005, p. 66). Online technology provides many different ways in which to collaborate with each other and to reflect on each others thoughts and ideas. Herrington & Oliver (2002) suggest that “communication technology can be used to provide effective means for socially mediated reflection” (p.315). However, it is important to note that the technology is just a tool that can be used to create a more convenient way to communicate and that it is ultimately up to the participants to make use of the technology and to contribute effectively .
One example of using Online Technology tools to reflect can be seen in that of Twitter. The purpose of twitter is to not only tell others what you are doing in 140 characters or less, but to also reflect on what others are saying. You make these reflective choices by re-tweeting, commenting and even through the people and groups you choose to follow. All of these actions are reflective in nature as they tell a wider audience what you think and in turn they can comment on it. It is a reciprocal relationship that is supported by reflection.
Blogs, Nings and wikis have specific sections for reflections to occur and unlike twitter one’s response is not limited by characters. They can be as long and in depth as one chooses. These are especially useful in a classroom where it might take a little longer for students to respond to a post. As well, through this type of interaction students can take their time to form thought reflective responses to posts.
Throughout this program reflection and collaboration are key concepts that have been practiced in every one of my courses. Whether it was class wiki`s, group presentations, blog creation etc. We were required to work with our fellow students and professors to reflect on not only ourselves, but on our colleagues to construct meaning from our experiences.
Please see my artifacts and reflections section that shows examples of this reflective process.
-John Dewey 1
According to Dewey(1910), reflection has 4 key criteria:
1) It is a process which moves the learner from one experience to the next
with deeper understanding of it’s relationships with and connections to other
experiences and ideas
2) It is a systematic rigorous disciplined way of thinking
3) It needs to happen in a community ,in interactions with others
4) It requires attitudes that value the personal and intellectual growth of oneself and others
(Rodgers, 2002, p. 545)
Dewey believed that reflection was an interactive experience, which is a “complex, rigorous, intellectual and emotional enterprise that takes time to do well. “ (Rodgers, 2002, p. 844). This concept of reflection through interactions with others is mirrored in Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory. Social Development theory is based on the idea that learning is a reciprocal relationship between teachers and students who are collaborating to construct meaning (http://www.learning-theories.com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory.html).It is through these interactions and collaborations that knowledge is constructed. It is a continuous process by which both teachers and students must reflect in order to contribute to the process of construction of knowledge.
Studies have shown that reflection especially critical reflection and inquiry is becoming increasingly important to both students and teachers ( Rodgers, 2002). It is through reflection that individuals can co- construct knowledge, “ having to express oneself to others so that others truly understand one’s idealism reveals both the strength and hole’s in one’s thinking” ( Rodgers, 2002, p. 856). It is through others that we are able to adjust our thinking and make meaning of our experiences.
Technology advancements provide many different ways in which this type of community reflective experience can take place. “Computer-mediated Communication affords convenience and flexibility and extends space for interaction…[we] do not have to rely on face-to-face contact to communicate and/or interact with each other”
( Ruan & Beach, 2005, p. 66). Online technology provides many different ways in which to collaborate with each other and to reflect on each others thoughts and ideas. Herrington & Oliver (2002) suggest that “communication technology can be used to provide effective means for socially mediated reflection” (p.315). However, it is important to note that the technology is just a tool that can be used to create a more convenient way to communicate and that it is ultimately up to the participants to make use of the technology and to contribute effectively .
One example of using Online Technology tools to reflect can be seen in that of Twitter. The purpose of twitter is to not only tell others what you are doing in 140 characters or less, but to also reflect on what others are saying. You make these reflective choices by re-tweeting, commenting and even through the people and groups you choose to follow. All of these actions are reflective in nature as they tell a wider audience what you think and in turn they can comment on it. It is a reciprocal relationship that is supported by reflection.
Blogs, Nings and wikis have specific sections for reflections to occur and unlike twitter one’s response is not limited by characters. They can be as long and in depth as one chooses. These are especially useful in a classroom where it might take a little longer for students to respond to a post. As well, through this type of interaction students can take their time to form thought reflective responses to posts.
Throughout this program reflection and collaboration are key concepts that have been practiced in every one of my courses. Whether it was class wiki`s, group presentations, blog creation etc. We were required to work with our fellow students and professors to reflect on not only ourselves, but on our colleagues to construct meaning from our experiences.
Please see my artifacts and reflections section that shows examples of this reflective process.
1 John Dewey > Quotes. (n.d.). John Dewey Quotes (Author of Art as Experience). Retrieved from
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/42738.John_Dewey
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/42738.John_Dewey