Journal Article

Creating a reflective space in higher education

Thelin, Katina

2020

Overview

This article considers the conditions, possibilities, and challenges of creating what is referred to here as a ‘reflective space’ within a higher education course for principals. It is informed by the findings of a qualitative research inquiry conducted in the interests of enhancing the principals’ learning and professional praxis and the university educators’ pedagogical praxis, within a Swedish course for school and preschool principals. Analysis of the findings highlighted two significant patterns. The first relates to the transformative benefits of creating a ‘reflective space’ for the principals attending the course. The second is more ambiguous and reflects their relation to and engagement with scientifically constructed knowledge. Based on these findings, the article offers considerations relevant for creating ‘reflective spaces’ as a means to enhance the quality of learning in higher education. Additionally, some guiding pedagogical implications are included in the final remarks.

• Publisher: Berghahn Journals,Berghahn Books, Inc
• Subject: Active Learning / Administrator Education / Analysis / Beginning Principals / College Science / Course Content / Definitions / Education / Educational Change / Educational leadership / Educational Quality / Educational Strategies / Elementary Secondary Education / Foreign Countries / Group Activities / Higher Education / Inquiry / Instructional Leadership / leadership / Leadership Training / leading / Learning / Pedagogy / practice / practice architectures / Praxis / Preschool Education / Preschool Teachers / principal training / Principals / Professional Education / Program Descriptions / Qualitative research / Reflection / reflective space / Reflective Teaching / Semantics / Sweden / Teaching Methods / Theory Practice Relationship / Transformative Learning