CRITICAL REFLECTION AND ARTS-BASED ACTION RESEARCH FOR THE EDUCATOR SELF

Abstract

Research suggests many educators are challenged to incorporate self-reflection into daily routines. Most often, self-reflection is practiced as a cognitive and text-based activity. This first-person action research project explores if alternative methods used for self-reflection achieves a more reflexive practice. In phase one, arts-based approaches, specifically photography and unstructured narrative, were employed as self-reflective tools on the first author’s practice. In phase two, principles of autoethnography were used to reflect on and to share the experiences from phase one. The research concludes with recommendations for building a better reflective process and a stronger reflexive practice for adult educators.