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Tahmina Askarova,
Baku Slavic University,
Senior Lecturer,
Baku, Azerbaijan
e-mail: dr.tahmina.asgarova@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0003-1864-6689
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15569877
Keywords: reflection, secondary education, teachin, literature, methodology, curriculum, educational quality, cognitive process
Abstract. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the concept of reflection within the field of pedagogy, with a particular focus on the contributions of Azerbaijani scholars and educators. Reflection, as a process of critical self-examination and analysis of one’s own teaching practices, plays a fundamental role in fostering meaningful learning experiences and improving educational quality. By analyzing national pedagogical literature and frameworks, the article aims to clarify how reflection is understood and implemented in the Azerbaijani educational context. In addition to exploring theoretical perspectives, the paper also examines practical applications of reflection in Azerbaijani schools and teacher training institutions. It identifies both the achievements and challenges associated with integrating reflective practices into daily pedagogical routines. Ultimately, the findings emphasize that reflection is not a supplementary element of effective teaching but a core mechanism for advancing educational quality and innovation in the 21st-century classroom.
Introduction
In recent decades, reflection has emerged as a fundamental concept in educational theory and practice. Rooted in the works of seminal thinkers such as John Dewey, reflection is recognized as a critical cognitive process that supports teachers’ professional development and enhances student learning outcomes. Within the pedagogical sphere, reflection involves purposeful self-examination and analysis of one’s instructional approaches, decisions, and experiences, fostering continuous improvement and adaptability. The importance of reflection becomes particularly pronounced in teacher education at the university level. Preparing future educators to engage in reflective practice equips them with the necessary skills to connect theoretical knowledge with practical classroom realities [Veysova, 2007]. This connection is crucial, as it enables pre-service teachers to develop problem-solving abilities, adapt to diverse learning environments, and implement student-centered methodologies effectively. Moreover, fostering reflection in higher education ensures that graduates are not only knowledgeable but also self-aware and capable of critical evaluation of their teaching practices. This foundation ultimately leads to the creation of more effective educators who can positively influence learning experiences in secondary schools. This article explores the role of reflection in pedagogical training, emphasizing its significance for university students preparing to enter the teaching profession. By analyzing Azerbaijani educational perspectives and practices, the study highlights how reflective skills contribute to bridging theory and practice, thereby enriching teacher preparedness and educational quality.
Main part. Effective lesson planning begins with the clear formulation of instructional objectives. Among the various elements that contribute to a lesson’s success, the most fundamental is the accurate and purposeful identification of learning goals. Without well-defined objectives, the educational process risks becoming disorganized, directionless, and less impactful.
There are several established classifications of instructional goals, each offering a different perspective on how learning outcomes can be categorized. The most widely recognized classifications include:
a. Based on the nature of the teacher’s activity:
— Instructive goals (focused on knowledge transmission),
— Developmental goals (aimed at fostering cognitive, emotional, or social growth),
— Educational/moral goals (oriented toward value formation and character building).
b. According to the level of learning outcomes in the cognitive domain:
— These goals correspond to Bloom’s Taxonomy and reflect varying degrees of mastery, from basic knowledge recall to higher-order thinking.
c. Based on the cognitive process involved:
— This includes different types of memory and thinking processes, such as logical, critical, and creative thinking.
In the Azerbaijani educational context, most school teachers are familiar primarily with the first classification — based on the teacher’s functional objectives. However, practical observations and field experience reveal that many teachers either underestimate the importance of defining clear instructional goals or lack the methodological skills to do so effectively [Bayramov, 2004]. A common mistake among teachers is to focus exclusively on instructive goals — emphasizing knowledge transmission — while neglecting developmental and moral-educational objectives. As a result, these equally vital components often remain in the background and fail to guide the teacher’s overall instructional strategy. This imbalance can limit the holistic development of learners and diminish the broader impact of education, which extends beyond the mere acquisition of factual knowledge [Ahmadov & Abbasov, 2008].
To promote reflective and effective teaching, teacher education programs must emphasize the multidimensional nature of instructional goals. Future educators should be trained not only to convey knowledge but also to nurture critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and ethical awareness among students. Only then can lesson planning become a comprehensive, student-centered process that supports the intellectual and personal development of every learner.
In the structure of effective lesson planning, reflection holds a critical and purposeful place. It serves not merely as a concluding activity, but as an integral component that informs every stage of the instructional process — from pre-planning to post-lesson evaluation. Reflection in lesson planning operates on two main levels:
1. Pre-lesson Reflection
Before designing the lesson, teachers engage in reflective thinking by asking themselves essential questions such as:
— What are my students’ current levels of understanding?
— What learning goals am I targeting, and why?
— Which teaching methods have previously worked with this group?
This anticipatory reflection ensures that the planned lesson is responsive to students’ needs, aligned with curriculum standards, and informed by past teaching experiences.
2. Intra-lesson Reflection
While the lesson is in progress, experienced teachers continuously make micro-reflective adjustments based on classroom dynamics. For example, if a particular activity does not yield the expected engagement or understanding, the teacher might adapt the strategy in real time. This real-time reflection helps sustain instructional effectiveness and classroom responsiveness.
3. Post-lesson Reflection
After the lesson, teachers reflect on the outcomes, asking:
— Were the learning objectives met?
— Which parts of the lesson were most effective or problematic?
— What should be maintained or changed for future lessons?
This reflection forms the basis for ongoing professional growth and instructional refinement. Reflection transforms lesson planning from a mechanical routine into a dynamic, adaptive, and learner-centered process. As Azerbaijani educator Yahya Karimov (2004) notes, reflection allows the teacher to become both an analyst and an architect of their own practice. It encourages deliberate decision-making, fosters metacognitive awareness, and supports differentiated instruction based on learners’ evolving needs. Incorporating reflection into each phase of lesson planning not only enhances the quality of instruction but also reinforces a culture of continuous improvement and pedagogical accountability.
In contemporary pedagogy, lesson planning is not merely a procedural task, but a reflective and purposeful process that integrates critical thinking, adaptability, and learner-centered design. Particularly in literature education, where values, cultural identity, and emotional intelligence intersect, the inclusion of reflection serves as a vital pedagogical tool. Through reflective lesson planning, teachers can more effectively connect classical texts to students’ lived experiences, thereby enhancing engagement and comprehension. The following lesson plan exemplifies how reflection can be embedded into each phase of instructional design — before, during, and after the lesson. It centers on the epic “Book of Dədə Qorqud”, a foundational work of Azerbaijani oral literature, renowned for its moral, ethical, and national values. The lesson aims not only to familiarize students with the literary significance of the text but also to guide them in drawing personal and societal parallels through reflective thinking. Let us now examine a sample literature lesson plan that demonstrates the integration of reflective pedagogy in the context of teaching Dədə Qorqud in Azerbaijani secondary schools.
Subject: Azerbaijani Literature
Grade Level: 8th or 9th Grade
Topic: “The Book of Dede Qorqud as a Vessel of National and Moral Values”
Duration: 45 minutes
Lesson Type: Combined (Speaking, Reading, Thinking)
1. Pre-Lesson Reflection (Teacher’s Reflective Notes)
Reflective Questions Before Planning:
- What is the current level of students’ understanding of epic literature?
- Have students encountered “Dədə Qorqud” before?
- How can I link this topic to students’ lives and national identity?
- Reflective Decisions:
- Integrate multimedia (short video on Dədə Qorqud) to stimulate interest.
- Use group discussions to promote active engagement.
- Encourage students to reflect on modern-day values in comparison with the epic.
2. Lesson Structure
a) Warm-up / Motivation (5 minutes)
Show a short animated video clip or image from “Dədə Qorqud”. Ask: “Who do you think Dədə Qorqud was? What kind of person might he have been?”
Mini-reflection for students:
“Write one sentence: What does ‘wisdom’ mean to you?”
(Promotes personal connection to the theme.)
b) Presentation of New Material (15 minutes)
Teacher briefly explains the origin and historical context of Dədə Qorqud.
Read an excerpt (e.g., “Dirse xan oğlu Buğac”) aloud in class.
Highlight key themes: bravery, loyalty, family, fate.
c) Group Discussion (10 minutes)
Students are divided into 3 groups. Each group discusses:
Group 1: What values are promoted in the story?
Group 2: How does Dədə Qorqud act as a guide or teacher?
Group 3: Can we find similar values in today’s society?
Reflective prompt for groups:
“Which character’s actions did you agree or disagree with, and why?”
d) Individual Reflection Activity (10 minutes)
Students write a short paragraph answering:
“What lesson did I personally take from today’s story?”
“How can I apply these values in my own life?”
Purpose: Develop self-awareness and connect literature with real life.
3. Post-Lesson Reflection (Teacher’s Notes)
Reflective Questions after the Lesson:
- Did students engage with the material on both intellectual and emotional levels?
- Which part of the lesson was most effective?
What would I adjust for the next lesson?
Planned Adjustments:
- Use role-playing in the next lesson to deepen understanding.
- Provide more support to students struggling with old language forms.
- Pedagogical Significance of Reflection in This Lesson
- Encourages both teacher and students to think deeply about the material.
- Helps students internalize cultural and moral values through self-assessment.
- Supports continuous professional development for the teacher.
In the context of teacher education, cultivating reflective skills among university students — future educators — is of paramount importance. Reflection, understood as the deliberate and critical examination of one’s own teaching practice, enables these students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. When future teachers develop strong reflective abilities during their higher education, they are better equipped to enter secondary schools with a mindset oriented toward continuous improvement and adaptive problem-solving. This preparedness ensures that they do not simply replicate pedagogical models but actively analyze their classroom experiences, assess the effectiveness of their instructional strategies, and make informed adjustments tailored to their students’ needs. Moreover, embedding reflection in teacher training programs fosters the development of practical skills such as lesson evaluation, classroom management, and student engagement techniques. These skills are essential for navigating the complex and dynamic environment of secondary education, where diverse learner profiles and varying contextual factors demand flexibility and responsiveness. By emphasizing reflection in university curricula, teacher educators contribute to the formation of professionals who can critically assess educational challenges and innovate solutions grounded in evidence and self-awareness. As a result, when these graduates begin teaching in general secondary schools, they bring with them a robust toolkit of practical competencies enriched by reflective insight, thereby enhancing educational quality and student outcomes. In summary, integrating reflection into the pedagogical training of university students is vital for preparing them to meet the real-world demands of secondary education with both theoretical depth and practical efficacy.
Conclusion
Reflection stands as a cornerstone of effective pedagogy, enabling both teachers and students to engage in meaningful, continuous learning processes. In the context of higher education, equipping future educators with reflective skills is essential for bridging theory and practice, fostering professional growth, and cultivating adaptive teaching strategies. When university students develop the habit of reflection, they are better prepared to enter secondary schools with practical competencies and a critical mindset that promotes innovation and responsiveness to diverse learner needs. Ultimately, the integration of reflection into teacher education programs not only enhances the quality of individual teaching practices but also contributes to the overall advancement of the educational system. By fostering reflective practitioners, we pave the way for more effective, student-centered learning environments that honor cultural values and support lifelong learning. Thus, reflection is not merely an academic exercise but a vital mechanism for sustaining educational excellence and meeting the evolving challenges of modern pedagogy.
References
- Əhmədov A., Abbasov Ə. (2008). Kurikulumların hazırlanması və tətbiqi məsələləri. Bakı: Kövsər nəşriyyatı.
- Bayramov V.H. (2004). Müasir təlim metodlarının və yeni pedaqoji texnologiyaların tətbiqinə dair. Bakı.
- Fomenko, V.T. (1994). Построeние процесса обучения на интегрированной основе. Ростов н/Д.
- Kərimov, Y.Ş. (2011). Təlim prosesində yeni texnologiyalar. Bakı: Mütərcim.
- Veysova, Z. (2007). Fəal və interaktiv təlim: Müəllimlər üçün vəsait.