How do you help your mentee reflect and think critically?

1 What is reflection and critical thinking?

Reflection and critical thinking are interrelated processes that involve examining one's own experiences, beliefs, assumptions, actions, and outcomes in relation to a specific context, purpose, or problem. Reflection helps teachers identify their strengths, areas for improvement, and learning needs. Critical thinking helps teachers analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, evidence, and perspectives to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. Both reflection and critical thinking are essential for teachers to improve their practice and adapt to changing situations and needs.

2 Why are reflection and critical thinking important?

Reflection and critical thinking are essential for teachers to learn from their practice, grow their professional identity, and cultivate their autonomy. Through this process, teachers can become aware of their beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape their teaching. Additionally, they can recognize their successes and challenges, plan their professional development, explore alternative solutions and perspectives, apply learning to new contexts and situations, collaborate with others, seek feedback and support, and contribute to educational change.

3 How can you help your mentee reflect and think critically?

As a mentor, there are many ways you can help your mentee reflect and think critically. Model reflection and critical thinking yourself by sharing your experiences, insights, questions, and challenges. Create a safe and trusting relationship with your mentee by actively listening, empathizing, respecting, and affirming. Encourage your mentee to reflect and think critically by using prompts, questions, tools, and frameworks. Provide constructive feedback based on observations, data, and evidence. Ask open-ended questions that stimulate their thinking and learning. Support them in finding resources to inform their reflection and critical thinking. Guide them to set achievable goals based on their reflection and critical thinking. Follow up regularly to monitor their progress and outcomes. Celebrate their growth and development and acknowledge their efforts.

4 What are some examples of reflection and critical thinking tools and frameworks?

There are many tools and frameworks you can use with your mentee to facilitate reflection and critical thinking. The reflective cycle, for example, is a simple and flexible model consisting of four stages: describe, analyze, conclude, and plan. The STAR method is an acronym for situation, task, action, and result, and can be used to structure reflection on a specific problem. SWOT analysis helps identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The 5 Whys technique involves asking "why" five times to get to the root cause of a problem or issue. And the SOLO taxonomy is a framework that categorizes the levels of understanding from surface to deep. With these tools and frameworks, you can help your mentee assess their current situation, identify areas for development and potential actions, analyze the underlying factors behind their practice or challenge, and evaluate the quality and depth of their thinking and learning.

5 How do you assess your mentee's reflection and critical thinking skills?

Assessing your mentee's reflection and critical thinking skills is not a one-time or formal process; it is an ongoing and informal process that involves observing, listening, questioning, feedbacking, and supporting your mentee throughout their mentoring journey. To assess their skills, pay attention to the frequency, depth, and breadth of their reflection and critical thinking; also consider the clarity, coherence, and relevance of their thoughts. Look at the evidence, data, and sources they use to support their reflection and critical thinking. Additionally, note the perspectives, alternatives, and implications they consider in their reflection and critical thinking. Also observe the actions, changes, and outcomes they implement based on their reflection and critical thinking. Finally, be aware of the challenges, questions, and goals they raise in their reflection and critical thinking.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?