La réflexion, processus déclenché et constructeur : cas d’enseignants de FLS en formation ou en exercice et d’aspirants coopérants internationaux
Since the 1990’s, the paradigm of the reflective practitioner entered higher education curricula. In Quebec, the Ministry of Education introduced in its list of skills required to become a teacher the idea that one should learn ‘to reflect on one’s practice’ (MEQ, 2001). Despite many studies about reflection, the concept of ‘reflection’ itself remains vague. So the effectiveness of the pedagogical and organizational tools used to “make people reflect” is highly questionable. Nevertheless, some researchers, following the seminal educative humanistic and pragmatic ideas of Dewey (1933) come to similar conceptualizations of what learning is through the reflection on practice (Osterman & Kottkamp, 2004; Brouwer & Korthagen, 2005; Loughran, 2006; Brockbank & McGill, 2007; Donnay & Charlier, 2008, among others). An operational definition of reflection is synthetized. It can help clarify the role of reflection in professional curricula. Going beyond the challenge of ‘capturing’ reflection events, this research aims at understanding how higher education programs contribute to develop long term professional self-renewal mecanisms. This study is based on qualitative interviews, within an interpretive approach. Data came from prospective teachers in French as a second language (FSL) and in international co-operation at Université de Montréal, as well as experienced FSL teachers working in a Quebec university. The method first isolated ‘occurrences of reflection’, then extracted the meanings emerging from what the interviewees had said about their experience of learning or working. Results provide insights into the process and outcomes of reflection. Two characteristics of the higher education programs appear to stimulate it the most : 1) ‘doing’ things in an authentic workplace or in simulated situations in the classroom; 2) interactive confrontation to others (peers and clients). Different types of ‘triggers’, conditions, concerns and objects of reflection are also brought to light. It appears that reflection stimulates changes in perspective in the mind of learners or workers, which makes them see things ‘differently’, that is, in a richer, more precise, more critical way, about their work, their colleagues or clients, and themselves as professionals. The study proposes some ways of improving teacher education programs and professional development in the workplace.
reflection reflexivity reflective practice teacher education professional development higher education faculty development teacher learning professional learning