Challenges of Teacher Reflection and Reflective Practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18485/uns_evkonyv.2025.1Keywords:
reflection, reflective practice, teacher, professional developmentAbstract
This article explores the factors that contribute to teacher readiness, emphasizing that the most significant determinant is a teacher’s ability and willingness to engage in ongoing professional learning beyond initial teacher education. Reflective practice is presented as a key tool to support continuous professional development, allowing teachers to analyze and improve their teaching in response to diverse classroom challenges. The paper aims to examine the value and complexities of reflective practice, which is inherently multidimensional and context-dependent. Specifically, it seeks to define reflection and reflective practice, outline the core components of teacher reflection, and discuss the challenges faced by teachers in implementing reflective practices both in Serbia and internationally.
References
Akbari, R., Behzadpoor, F., & Dadvand, B. (2010). Development of English language teaching reflection inventory. System, 38, 211–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2010.03.003
Andevski, M., Budić, S., & Gajić, O. (2015). Profesionalno delovanje u učionici – put ka refleksivnom praktičaru. Filozofski fakultet.
Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1974). Theory in practice: Increasing professional effectiveness. Jossey-Bass.
Banđur, V., & Maksimović, J. (2013). The teacher–a reflective researcher of the teaching practice. Croatian Journal of Education: Hrvatski časopis za odgoj i obrazovanje, 15(Sp. Ed. 3), 99–124. https://doi.org/10.15516/cje.v15i0.270
Bilač, S. (2015). Refleksivna praksa – čimbenik utjecaja na profesionalni razvoj, mijenjanje odgojno-obrazovne prakse i kvaliteta nastave. Napredak, 156(4), 447–460.
Brierley, J. (2019). Working with two-year-olds: Developing reflective practice. Routledge. Brock, A. (2015). The early years reflective practice handbook. Routledge.
Brookfield, S. D. (1995). Becoming a critically reflective teacher. Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Calderhead, J. (1996). Teachers: Beliefs and knowledge. In D. C. Berliner & R. C. Calfee (Eds.), Handbook of educational psychology (pp. 709–725). Macmillan Library Reference.
Denee, R. (2024). The network professional learning community approach: An effective model for individual and group learning. Teacher Development: An International Journal of Teacher’s Professional Development, 28(3), 330–346. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2024.2307588
Dewey, J. (2013). Logic: The theory of inquiry. Read Books Ltd.
Drew, S., & Bingham, R. (2001). The student skills guide. Gower.
Fang, Z. (1996). A review of research on teacher beliefs and practices. Educational Research, 38(1), 47–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/0013188960380104
Farrell, T. (2004). Reflective practice in action: 80 reflection breaks for busy teachers. Corwin Press.
Finlay, L. (2008). Reflecting on ‘Reflective practice’. Practice-based Professional Learning Paper 52, The Open University.
Gnawali, L. (2008). Teacher development through reflective practice. Journal of Education and Research, 1(1), 69–71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/jer.v1i0.7953
Gojkov, G. (2010). Teacher as a reflexive practitioner. Godišnjak SAO za 2010, 37–66.
Greenberger, S. W. (2020). Creating a guide for reflective practice: Applying Dewey’s reflective thinking to document faculty scholarly engagement. Reflective Practice, 21(4), 458–472. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2020.1773422
Grey, A. (2011). Professional dialogue as professional learning. New Zealand Journal of Teacher’s Work, 8(1), 21–32.
Hargreaves, A. (2003). Teaching in the knowledge society: Education in the age of insecurity. Teachers College Press.
Hegarty, B. (2011). A framework to guide professional learning and reflective practice. http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4724&context=theses
Holstein, J. A., & Gubrium, J. F. (1995). The active interview (Vol. 37). Sage Publications.
Kagan, D. M. (1992). Implication of research on teacher belief. Educational Psychologist, 27(1), 65–90. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep2701_6
Kane, R., Sandretto, S., & Heath, C. (2002). Telling half the story: A critical review of research on the teaching beliefs and practices of university academics. Review of Educational Research, 72(2), 177–228. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543072002177
Kazemi, A., Bazregarzadeh, Z., & Firoozi, M. (2016). Teacher reflectivity revisited: Is teaching reflectivity gaining a foothold in Iran? Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 7(5), 993–1001.
Kitchin, R., & Dodge, M. (2007). Rethinking maps. Progress in Human Geography, 31(3), 331–344. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132507077082
Korthagen, F. (2001). Linking practice and theory: The pedagogy of realistic teacher education. Lawrence Erlbaum.
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). Det kvalitative forskningsintervju (T. M. Anderssen & J. Rygge, Trans.; 3rd ed.). Gyldendal akademisk.
Loughran, J. J. (2002). Effective reflective practice: In search of meaning in learning about teaching. Journal of Teacher Education, 53(1), 33–43.
Malešević, D. (2015). Refleksija kao faktor ličnog i profesionalnog unapređivanja. Obrazovna tehnologija, 3, 189–198.
Mansvelder-Longayroux, D. D., Beijaard, D., & Verloop, N. (2007). The portfolio as a tool for stimulating reflection by student teachers. Teaching and Teacher Education, 23, 47–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2006.04.033
McLeod, N. (2019). The reflexive educator. In P. Giardiello & N. McLeod (Eds.), Empowering early childhood educators: International pedagogies as provocation (pp. 36–62). Routledge.
McLelland, J. (2024). The value and purpose of reflective practice for professional learning. He Kupu, 8(2), 3–11.
Moon, J. A. (2004). Reflection in learning & professional development. RoutledgeFalmer.
Murphy, J. M. (2001). Reflective teaching in ELT. In M. Celce-Murcia (Ed.), Teaching English as a second or foreign language (pp. 499–514). Heinle & Heinle.
Nolan, A., & Guo, K. (2022). Transforming practice through a professional learning program: Barriers and enablers. Early Years, 42(2), 232–246.
Novak, J. D., & Cañas, A. J. (2006). The theory underlying concept maps and how to construct them. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252642478_The_Theory_Underlying_Concept_Maps_and_How_to_Construct_Them
O’Connor, A., & Diggins, A. (2002). On reflection: Reflective practice for early childhood educators. Open Mind Publishing.
OECD. (2005). Teachers matter: Attracting, developing and retaining effective teachers. OECD.
Osterman, K. F., & Kottkamp, R. B. (2004). Reflective practice for educators: Professional development to improve student learning. Corwin Press.
Pandey, S. R. (2012). Professional development of English teachers through reflective practice (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Kathmandu University.
Pendrey, A. (2023). Reflection and reflective spaces in the early years: A guide for students and practitioners. Routledge.
Pollard, A. (2002). Reading for reflective teaching. Continuum.
Postholm, M. B. (2008). Teachers developing practice: Reflection as a key activity. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(7), 1717–1728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2008.02.024
Postholm, M. B. (2010). Kvalitativ metode: En innføring med fokus på fenomenologi, etnografi og kasusstudier (2nd ed.). Universitetsforlaget.
Prawat, R. S. (1989). Promoting access to knowledge, strategy, and disposition in students: A research synthesis. Review of Educational Research, 59(1), 1–41. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543059001001
Reitano, P. (2005). Using video stimulated recall and concept mapping in reflective teaching practices: Strengths, limitations and potential threats. In M. Cooper (Ed.), Teacher education: Local and global. 33rd Annual Australian Teacher Education Association Conference (pp. 382–389). Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA).
Rix, J., & Paige-Smith, A. (2012). Exploring barriers to reflection and learning: Developing a perspective lens. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 11(1), 30–41.
Šarić, M., & Šeth, B. (2017). Critical reflection in the professional development of teachers: Challenges and possibilities. Critical Reflection in the Professional Development of Teachers, 7(3), 67–85.
Someren, M. V., Barnard, Y. F., & Sandberg, J. A. (1994). The think aloud method: A practical approach to modelling cognitive processes. Academic Press.
Woolston, D., & Dayman, T. (2022). Practicum: A space for leadership and mentoring. New Zealand Journal of Teacher’s Work, 19(1), 29–45.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Évkönyv

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Autorska prava: u cilju zaštite autorskih prava i izdavača, Učiteljski fakultet na mađarskom nastavnom jeziku, sa sedištem u Subotici, Univerzitet u Novom Sadu, štiti autorska prava u skladu sa zakonom, s tim da autori radova objavljenih u Godišnjaku mogu koristiti sopstvene članke i publikacije bez ograničenja.






