Teaching Reflections | Faculty Review | Seneca Polytechnic

You are encouraged to complete the reflective activity below to help prepare for your annual Faculty-Chair conversation. During this meeting you will have the opportunity to share examples of how the Standards of Practice inform your teaching. As you reflect on these prompts, you may wish to record your thoughts using the Teaching Reflection template or in a format of your choice.

Students and Student Success 

Definition: Faculty need to understand how learners acquire knowledge and develop conceptual understandings in order to design and implement effective learning experiences. Faculty should recognize individual differences and the diverse cultures and communities of their students to ensure that their lessons are inclusive, and that each learner can meet high standards. Read more about Students and Student Success.

Reflection Questions:

1. How well do you feel you know and understand your students? What would you like to understand better?
2. What practices do you currently use to get to know your students, and what new techniques do you plan to try?
3. What have you learned from teaching your students over the past year? What do they find beneficial, and what challenges do they encounter? How do you know this?
4. What steps have you taken to improve student learning in your classroom?
5. Seeing yourself through your students’ eyes can be very valuable. What helpful feedback have you received from them?
6. How might you use insights from students to enhance your teaching?

Professional Knowledge

Definition: Faculty understand the key concepts and tools of inquiry in their field, creating learning experiences that are accessible and meaningful for students, and ensuring content proficiency. They use their professional knowledge to enhance student learning and are skilled in pedagogical strategies of their field to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving on local and global issues. Read more about Professional Knowledge.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways do you stay up to date in your field or industry? How do you stay connected to professional development opportunities in areas that interest you?
2. How have recent advancements in your field shaped your teaching? What activities are helping students grasp these new ideas?
3. How are you building knowledge in Seneca’s strategic priority areas that you would like to share?
4. What do you want to learn more about in the coming year, both in your field and in your understanding of teaching practices in higher education?
5. How are you developing your skills in teaching with emerging technologies?

Professional Practice

Definition: Faculty apply their professional knowledge through authentic approaches to ensure that students are engaged and achieving learning outcomes. They employ a variety of instructional and assessment strategies to engage learners in their own growth and help them think critically.  Faculty also reflect on relevance of the curriculum, ethics, research, and related policies to continuously inform and enhance their practice. Read more about Professional Practice.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do the pillars of a more equitable, sustainable, and virtual Seneca come to life in your classroom?
2. What connections do you see between these strategic priorities and the work happening in your field or industry?
3. How are you creating effective learning experiences across Seneca's teaching modalities?
4. How do you know that learning has occurred in your class? What have you experimented with regarding student assessment?
5. What changes have you made in your teaching practice over the past year? 

Professional Learning

Definition: Faculty are dedicated to ongoing professional learning, continually enhancing their teaching practices while modeling lifelong learning and demonstrating leadership within their professional communities. They actively explore the effective use of digital tools and emerging technologies, ensuring they remain current in the knowledge and skills that are representative of a professional in a global and digital society. Faculty aim to empower every student to be a leader for change in building a sustainable and just world. Read more about Professional Learning.

Reflection Questions: 

1. Which professional learning and development opportunities are you most interested in, both within your field and in education?
2. What do you find valuable about the opportunities offered here at Seneca (e.g., Teaching and Learning Days, Professional Development courses, etc.)?
3. What are your favorite ways to stay engaged in the field of higher education teaching?
4. What questions do you have about the best ways to develop your skills and interests as a teacher? What skills or interests would you like to share with others?
5. What suggestions do you have for new opportunities that could be offered at Seneca in the future?