The Reflective Teaching Practice Certificate is designed to support educators in becoming reflective practitioners. In short, reflective teaching involves collecting evidence about teaching and learning, thinking critically about that evidence to identify trends, considering possible explanations for those trends, and then making changes to one’s teaching in response to what has been learned. The process, as shown in this figure, is cyclical and ongoing.
This certificate is designed to be completed over time, perhaps one or two academic years, so that educators have time to collect evidence from multiple sources, reflect on that evidence, make plans for how to modify their teaching, put those plans into action, and then reflect on how the changes worked. The certificate is also designed to accommodate any teaching modality (e.g., in person, hybrid, or online). Instructors will enroll in a self-paced Canvas course which will include details about what activities need to be completed.
Learning Outcomes
Educators who complete the Reflective Teaching Practices Certificate will be able to:Â
- Apply a framework for teaching effectiveness to self-assess their teaching practice
- Use multiple sources of feedback about their teaching, including qualitative and quantitative data
- Reflect on the evidence and feedback objectively, considering strengths and weaknesses
- Make intentional changes to one’s teaching on the basis of the feedback and reflection
- Compile evidence and narrative to illustrate one’s teaching practice
Activities and Deliverables
Everyone who participates in the certificate will complete the following introductory activities:
- Teaching perspectives inventory
- Teaching self-assessment
- Certificate Planning
You will then choose 4 of the following reflection activities.
In each, the process will be the same. You will engage in the activity which will provide you evidence about your teaching and/or students’ learning. You will reflect on that evidence and make an action plan for changes that you would like to make. After implementing those changes, you will reflect on what the changes were and how they worked.
- Mid-semester assessment
- Course evaluation reflection
- Peer observation
- CTL observation
- Quality matters self review
- Quality matters peer review
- Course data reflection
- Student learning reflection
- Teacher’s choice
All participants will finish the certificate with the following activities:Â
- Teaching philosophy statement
- Teaching portfolio excerpt
- Teaching self-assessment revisited
How to Sign Up
To begin working on this certificate, you can self-enroll in this Canvas course.
What participants have to say:
“The Reflective Teaching Practice Certificate has been an invaluable opportunity to think more deeply about my teaching, highlight areas I’m doing well, and identify areas I can build. It also helped me stop being scared of reviewing my teaching evaluations! The Certificate is also allowing me to prepare my teaching materials for promotion. Overall, it’s been insightful and offered chances not only to reflect for myself but also receive feedback and input.”
— Jenn Mallette, Associate Professor, Department of Writing Studies