Capturing the moment: developing a reflective narrative tool for training in the education professions

ABSTRACT

The study presents a reflective tool that enables students to observe their personal and professional development process by formulating personal life stories; these narratives serve to identify each student’s characteristic lifestyle and modes of action. An atypical event is ‘captured’, one containing an ‘I-moment’ with a ‘different’ kernel of insight or action. The tool proposes reflective examination of the event, critical observation, re-conceptualization, and new action. This approach can expand current training methods, serving as a means for students in education professions both to analyze their own self-development and to assist others in resolving difficulties and overcoming barriers to change.

KEYWORDS:

• Narratives
• I-moment
• re-conceptualization
• self-development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Three-dimensional narrative inquiry space of temporality, sociality, and place.

2. It is customary for women from the Ethiopian community, as part of their tradition and culture, to braid their hair into multiple braids.

3. Based on Ribeiro et al. (2010, p. 202).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Smadar Ben-Asher

Dr. Smadar Ben-Asher is an Educational Psychologist. She currently serves as Director of the Educational Counseling Program at the Kaye Academic College of Education in Be’er Sheva, a faculty member of the Mandel Leadership Institute in the Negev, and an adjunct lecturer at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. She also teaches a variety of courses on clinical interviewing skills, dealing with stressful situations, and various subjects in the sphere of educational psychology intervention. Her research focuses on the social discourse of various groups in Israeli society

Nitza Roskin

Dr. Nitza Rosking is an expert in organizational identity research. She currently serves as a member in the Mandel Leadership Institute in the Negev, Israel.

She lectures a variety of courses at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.