To become „reflective professionals”: an interactive training model of shared pedagogical reflections with Master courses’ students

Diventare un „professionista riflessivo”: sperimentazione di un modello di riflessione pedagogica condivisa con studenti di corsi master

Abstract

The ability of reflection as a more and more recognized and authoritative mean to give meaning to our experience, also covers ways of learning both individually and collectively. In the context of adult learning, the exercise of reflective skill, both at the individual and group level, is considered important and useful because of the formation of a professional who knows how to be „thoughtful” and, as such, self-direct its learning for the acquisition of an increasing personal and professional awareness aiming at the continuous improvement of its profile. In this paper is presented a model of exercise experienced for the first time during a seminar held, by the author, with Master students, starting from the reading and the critical analysis of Maria Montessori's book The discovery of the child. The main objective of the activity was to offer the students, engaged in a course of higher education to build a professional profile in the area of educational services for children, shared moments of critical reflection and analysis conducted on the basis of individual works previously delivered as part of the educational activities of the course. Contents and values of that „reflective active practice” in the training of future teachers are described.