Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - EDUC 252 E100

Introduction to Reflective Practice (4)

Class Number: 4519

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides opportunities for prospective educators to begin their development as reflective practitioners. Through readings, classroom activities and discussions, and interactions with students and practicing teachers, students will be exposed to various educational issues and questions. They will be given time to explore their own values and beliefs about education and teaching. Time may be spent observing in a selection of educational settings, and there may be opportunities to work with learners individually, and in small and large groups. Students enrolled in or with credit for EDUC 401, 402, 403 or holding a teaching certificate may not take this course for credit.

COURSE DETAILS:


In a sincere practice, ongoing reflection on personal approaches, aims and tendencies is necessary for the growth and continued vitality of an educator. In this course we will work toward building such a practice in educational contexts as well as in everyday life.

Questions we will explore include: How can we cultivate caring relations with others, self and our local ecologies? How do we become consciously aware of personal values and articulate these through our interactions? How do we contribute most meaningfully to the learning of others? How do philosophy and theory inform practice and how to integrate them? What does it mean to be educated and what kind of educated person does the world need at this time? How might one develop a disposition of curiosity, relationality and inquiry? And, how do we integrate the various parts of the self (mind, body, emotions/spirit) into our practice as a whole?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • To acquire knowledge and understanding of research in reflective practice and to gain an appreciation for different modes/modalities of reflection
  • To actively reflect on one’s interactions with others and with the self in a variety of (educational) contexts, and to develop understanding of how this reflection enriches your practice
  • To build and develop one’s reflective practice framework and consider how it might apply to various contexts of learning
This course aims to support learners in:
  • Cultivating the art of dialogue and contributing meaningfully to the learning of others
  • Understanding different theories and models of reflection
  • Developing a disposition of curiosity, inquiry and relationality
  • Appreciating the value of connecting with local places and ecologies, and how they contribute to learning

Grading

  • Multimodal responses to weekly course materials 25%
  • Regular active participation in dialogues, both in-class and on Canvas 25%
  • Place-based explorative project 20%
  • Reflective sharing and practitioner statement 30%

NOTES:

This course has no final exam.

REQUIREMENTS:

Please note that regular, active and dedicated in-class participation is vital to this course.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Materials will be provided over Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.