Page 246 - Resources and Support for the Online Educator

Chapter 7: Self-Reflection

of the problem. We can unpack and analyze these factors, re-examining
what is important to us and how we can adopt new strategies to improve in
the future, when similar situations arise.

To develop the habit of self-reflection, we must remove our ego and think
honestly about where we are and where we want to be. We must be flex-
ible in our thinking by looking at the details as well as the big picture and
by looking at ourselves from both of these perspectives. We must let go
of our worries about external gratification—how we compare to others—
and embrace openness. Don’t be critical of yourself or your thoughts in the
moment. Don’t concern yourself with what others are doing or what they
might be thinking. Acknowledge your limitations and feelings, and embrace
your vulnerabilities. Self-reflection offers an opportunity to develop oneself
and become increasingly autonomous as individuals.

The down side: self-reflection is not a one-time occurrence, and that can
make it challenging. Just like yoga, it is a continual experience that must be
practiced on a regular basis to be meaningful and effective. There is a reason
we call it yoga “practice”—because you are always practicing. There is no
“winning” or graduating in yoga, as there is always something more that you
can do. But the more you self-reflect, the better you get in your practice.

Remember that you cannot do everything right away. You cannot go from
nonstretching to bendy in one day. There are limitations and things will
get in the way. But that is okay; it is all part of the journey, all part of the
learning process. Rest assured that as you exercise, you will become increas-
ingly flexible.

The following Take a Breath exercise provides tips for ways to prac-
tice self-reflection, and the edtech props suggest easy ways to self-reflect
regularly.

Stretch Yourself 159

Stretch Yourself: A Personalized Journey to Deepen Your Teaching Practice 246