Search form

Main menu

Educator Tools

Reflecting on Practice

The Museum Educators Reflecting on Practice project is a two-tiered professional development program informed by current research on learning and teaching science in informal science education institutions. It is based on a model developed through an NSF-funded project, Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences (COSIA).

On one tier, we build capacity of mid-career educators by coaching them through the implementation of this professional development program with their staff. On another tier, early career educators (those who directly engage with the public and/or develop programs) participate in professional development that specifically targets their pedagogical competencies and introduces them to the knowledge of the field.

Over time, we aim to build capacity within participating institutions that spans the whole education department, and the institutions have a professional development program that they can continue to use, modify, and develop. The goal of the program for all educators is to strengthen practitioners’ pedagogical practices through greater understanding of, and reflections on, their beliefs, goals, and actions, as well as to work towards building a community of reflective practitioners inside and outside their institution.

How does this work?

Mid-career educators participate in a Coaching Workshop where they learn the program in a three-day intensive workshop at the Lawrence Hall of Science. During the workshop, participants:

  1. take part in the activities and discussions in the Reflecting on Practice Curriculum—we model how the modules can be conducted;
  2. learn how to use observation instruments and videos for facilitating reflection on practice; and
  3. consider ways to implement the Reflecting on Practice Curriculum within the parameters of their institution.

Mid-career educators return to their home institution to implement the program with their early-career staff, and have the flexibility to apply it within the parameters of their institution’s organizational structures. Continued Coaching Support is available after the workshop for all participants, and is intended (1) to provide mid-career educators with extended assistance in implementing the Reflecting on Practice Curriculum, (2) to present continued opportunities for understanding the ideas and concepts of the materials, and (3) to be a process for nurturing their professional community. The support consists of ongoing communications and activities that require participants to stay connected with the project team and one another.

What are the goals?

The Reflecting on Practice program aims to introduce (beginning and veteran) science educators in informal environments to research and theory on learning and teaching science. The program presents opportunities for educators to (1) learn about and discuss science pedagogical content, (2) begin to make their practice public, where they create methods and tools to facilitate observations, (3) initiate habits of reflection in their practice, and (4) engage in critical discussions and reflections with colleagues. The program comprises four modules, and each module includes interactive sessions and reflective tasks.

What does the program include?

The Modules

Module I. Learning, Reflections, & Science

  1. Learning Beliefs, Behaviors and Goals
  2. Effective Reflective Practice
  3. Nature & Practice of Science

Module II. Constructing Knowledge

  1. Constructing Knowledge, Building Understanding
  2. Learners’ Prior Knowledge
  3. Connecting with What Learners Know

Module III. Learning Conversations

  1. Communicative Approaches in Teaching
  2. Analyzing Conversations
  3. Facilitating Conversations

Module IV. Teaching with Objects

  1. Conversing about Objects
  2. Engaging with Objects

The Sessions & Tasks

The interactive sessions are intended to engage participants in discussions and activities on the topic, specifically about:
o    their beliefs and actions
o    the habits and traditions within their practice and that of their institutions, and
o    practical implications of research.

The reflective tasks encourage participants to think about & critique their own thinking & practice, & include:
o    making, observing, & discussing videos of their teaching with their colleagues
o    reading & discussing research & practice in-person & online
o    writing in learning journals
o    being a critical friend

Who is using the program now?

This program is currently in field test at 12 informal science education institutions nationwide:

If you are interested in participating in a Reflecting on Practice workshop, please contact us by email today.