Reflective pedagogical practice will be given emphasis at the Second Annual Conference on Action Research to be held at the Qatar University (QU) tomorrow, officials revealed during a press meet at the QU yesterday.
"Reflective practice in teaching looks at instruction in a scholarly manner in which a teacher processes hard data to improve his teaching repertoire," said Ibrahim Al Mannai, Director of Curriculum Standards at the Education Institute, adding it involves the teacher's self-assessment with regard to his methods and determining which works best for students.
Dr Nancy Allen, Coordinator of Masters in Educational Leadership at QU College of Education, said the annual action research itself, is one of the venues in promoting this educational concept, though other activities such as workshops and trainings are also organised to encourage teachers to be reflective in their teaching approach. Dr Allen cited that the Qatari National Professional Standards for School Teachers and Leaders supports reflective teaching."We need quality teachers and reflective teachers are of high quality, which ensures quality education," said Dr Allen.
Sponsored by Education Institute, QU and Supreme Education Council, the whole day event is aimed at celebrating research activities of educators, sharing their significant findings to a wider audience, encouraging professionalism and promoting research culture in the country, said Al Mannai. Seventy-two papers will be presented in the form of oral presentations and posters by around 160 educators from all levels in different subjects during the conference which is expected to see 500 attendees.
© The Peninsula 2009
