Difficulties teachers report about students’ reflection: lessons learned from dance education

Abstract

Abstract Despite its relevance to and inclusion in pedagogical practices, reflection is a challenging activity for students in tertiary dance education according to teachers. The aim of the current study was to further explore the challenges encountered in the pedagogical practice of reflection. Data on the difficulties of reflection were collected from 14 dance teachers using semi-structured interviews. The results revealed four categories of difficulty: general difficulties, difficulties describing an experience, difficulties evaluating an experience and difficulties relating to multiple perspectives. The reflection difficulties described in this study correspond to the reflection difficulties reported in other domains of higher education, and illuminate how reflection activities could be facilitated more effectively. Keywords: dance educationreflectionreflection difficultiesfacilitationhigher education