Anita Jimmie, a Senior Teaching Fellow at Curtin University Malaysia, shares her experience of engaging in reflective practice to motivate individuals to analyse their approaches, assess the effectiveness of these methods and foster critical thinking. She says it encourages practitioners to fine-tune and redirect their teaching methods to align with desired outcomes and optimise the learning experience.
I think that being a reflective practitioner is a dynamic and intentional process, often going beyond one’s routine tasks. It involves a thoughtful examination of experiences, decisions and interactions in the class and an understanding of what shapes a student’s interests and motivations in learning. Through this introspective process, one can gain valuable insights into their strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. By embracing a reflective practice, educators can adapt more effectively to challenges, refine their skills and ultimately contribute to a more resilient and successful work journey.
The process of applying for Advance HE Fellowship is actually the start of a transformative journey of self-reflection, and gathering of evidence as we explore the effectiveness of our teaching approaches.
In August 2023, Curtin University Malaysia achieved recognition as one of the leading institutions in the country for having a high number of Advance HE Fellows. This is testament to the University’s commitment and dedication in ensuring the quality of teaching to enrich student experience and engagement at the University. Being more reflective about our teaching practices has also led to numerous other achievements, notably the increased scholarship in, and research in, teaching and learning and the improved profile in teaching achievements among the faculty.
