Reflection = Critical Writing

Reflection is the act of thinking critically and, “writing for the purpose of organizing, clarifying, defending, refuting, analyzing, dissecting, connecting, and/or expanding on ideas or concepts” (Cain & Laird, 2011).  If you look carefully, those verbs appear strikingly similar to the ones found at the highest levels of Bloom’s learning objectives.  Reflection is critical writing and is an important element of authentic literacy.  According to Cain and Laird (2011), “critical writing creates meaning, solidifies connections, transforms subconscious ideas into conscious thoughts, and is essential for authentic literacy.”

Reflection is an important skill in leadership because leaders have the responsibility to model life-long-learning.  The students and the community desire an instructional leader that is a deep thinker and a critical writer.  They want to know that education is not just our job, but is something we are passionately working to improve through the process of reflection.  Paul and Elder explain about those who think critically, “use writing as an important tool both for communicating important ideas and for learning…to deepen their understanding of important concepts and to clarify interrelationships between concepts…they use writing as an important tool for learning ideas deeply and permanently (as cited in Cain & Laird, 2011).

Some of my best reflection is communicated through my blog.  Blogging is my opportunity to be vulnerable and communicate to the world the thoughts and convictions on my heart.  It is my chance to be transparent about my shortcomings and convey my lessons learned throughout my journey.  Reflection can also be a phenomenal tool for private expression as we wade through the difficult waters of life.  Sometimes private reflection can be an opportunity to vent negativity or to formulate the beginnings of a new initiative and/or idea.

When I get the chance to lead a school, I would like to actively use reflection to create a school culture built on authentic literacy.  It doesn’t have to be a multiple page writing exercise, rather critical writing, or the act of reflection, can include creating a simple list, a short comparison paragraph, a quick summary, a mind map, or a written exit ticket.  It is my vision to have instructional staff and/or students post reflections in the comment sections of a specific YouTube video, or maybe a staff members blog, or even the principal’s blog.  Pie in the sky scenario would be leading a book study with teachers and holding a Google hangout once a week to discuss an assigned chapter of the book.  This would be an opportunity to meet with teachers in an informal setting (using technology) to discuss thoughts presented in a specified text.