Preparing Psychologists for Evidence-Based School Practice: Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead

Various disciplines view reflection as both a theory and a practice for helping make learning more visible to students as well as giving them a greater sense of agency; thus, the importance of reflection in higher education is well established. In recent years, scholars in SoTL have acknowledged and theorized about the importance of reflection for faculty. Our 360-degree model builds on this scholarship and research in writing studies in order to suggest that directional (inward, outward, forward, backward) reflection helps faculty analyze their teaching practices by integrating theoretical insights and evidence to evaluate effectiveness while also supporting ongoing professional growth. This poster shares an application of the 360-degree model of reflection, encouraging faculty to build reflective practices into their SoTL projects.

This study contributes to the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) by examining how case-based teaching and threshold concepts promote culturally inclusive pedagogical practices among pre-service teachers (PSTs). Our research design reflects SoTL principles by taking a systematic, transparent, iterative, and collaborative approach to collecting, analysing, and sharing data. Our work is explicitly aligned with theoretical frameworks, and we address unresolved issues in order to facilitate transformative learning. We aimed to explore how PSTs perceive culturally inclusive pedagogy and professional competence in a case-based course. Three key findings emerged: increased awareness of classroom diversity, a change in the PSTs’ understanding of culturally inclusive teaching, and resistance to exploratory learning designs. Many PSTs demonstrated transformative learning and sound professional judgment. However, some expressed resistance and uncertainty, underscoring the importance of scaffolding and support. The findings align with the literature on threshold concepts as gateways to boundary crossing and a deeper understanding of diversity in SoTL. The results highlight the potential of case-based teaching to encourage metacognitive reflection and to promote inclusive educational practices in teacher education programs. The study demonstrates that designing inquiry-based learning activities that integrate case studies and threshold concepts can facilitate critical reflection and metacognition among PSTs.

Microteaching is one of the courses that plays an important role in preparing prospective Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers to possess competencies that meet the demands of the teaching profession. This study aims to examine the urgency of microteaching in preparing professional PAI teachers through the development of pedagogical, professional, social, and personal competencies. The study employs a qualitative approach using library research. Data were obtained from various literature sources, including books, scientific journals, research articles, and academic documents relevant to microteaching and teacher professionalism. Data collection was conducted through documentation studies, while data analysis employed content analysis techniques. The findings indicate that microteaching serves as a means of bridging theory and teaching practice, training basic teaching skills, developing self-reflection abilities, and enhancing students' readiness to face field practice and the professional world. Furthermore, microteaching makes a significant contribution to the development of pedagogical, professional, social, and personal competencies among prospective PAI teachers. Its successful implementation is supported by lecturer guidance, the availability of learning facilities, and student motivation, although challenges remain, including limited time, nervousness, and differences between simulated situations and actual classroom conditions. Therefore, optimizing microteaching through the use of innovative methods, educational technology, constructive feedback, and continuous practice is necessary to produce professional, competent PAI teachers who are prepared to face the challenges of education in the modern era.

Reflective Practice (RP) is widely regarded as a cornerstone of psychotherapy training, supervision, and continuing professional development. Yet, despite its prominence across psychotherapeutic traditions, it remains conceptually vague and empirically contested. Recent critiques from basic psychological science (e.g., Lilienfeld & Basterfield, 2020) have argued that reflection may amplify cognitive bias and foster illusions of insight rather than improve clinical judgment. We argue that these criticisms carry weight precisely because the field has often failed to clearly define what RP is, how it functions, and under what conditions it becomes beneficial or harmful. Drawing on developmental models of therapist learning, we conceptualize RP as a multidimensional construct encompassing reflexivity as a capacity, reflective stance as an attitude, and reflection as activity. We propose that RP is most likely to support development when relationally scaffolded, informed by external feedback, and oriented toward testing and revising interpretations rather than confirming them. Reviewing developmental, quantitative, qualitative, and process-oriented evidence, we further argue that RP operates primarily as a probabilistic, context-dependent contributor to therapist development rather than as a discrete intervention with predictable outcomes. We conclude that RP is neither a panacea nor an illusion. Rather, when relationally scaffolded, theoretically informed, and oriented toward learning rather than certainty, it may provide a central mechanism through which therapists learn from clinical experience. Effective psychotherapy depends not only on therapeutic concepts and techniques but also on therapists’ ability to reflect on their clinical work, relationships, and decision-making. This paper conceptualizes Reflective Practice as a developmental process through which therapists may learn from experience, adapt to complex clinical situations, and develop their understanding and skills throughout their professional careers.

Studies on human beings from the perspective of the Qur’an have extensively discussed the dimensions of servitude to God, human stewardship, and moral responsibility. However, the relationship among these three concepts as an integrated framework of the human role from the perspective of Tafsir Tarbawi has received limited integrative reconstruction. This study aims to analyze the relationship among the concepts of ibadah, khalifah, and amanah in the Qur’an and to reconstruct them as a conceptual framework of the human role and its implications for Islamic education. This study employs a qualitative approach using library research and the muqarran method of Qur’anic interpretation within the perspective of Tafsir Tarbawi. The primary sources include the Qur’an and the works of Tafsir Ath-Thabari, Ibn Kathir, al-Misbah, and al-Azhar. The main verses analyzed are QS. Adz-Dzariyat [51]:56 concerning ibadah, QS. Al-Baqarah [2]:30 concerning khalifah, and QS. Al-Ahzab [33]:72 concerning amanah. The analysis was conducted through the collection and categorization of relevant verses, examination of their contexts and meanings, comparative analysis of interpretations, and conceptual synthesis. The findings indicate that ibadah, khalifah, and amanah are integrally interconnected. Ibadah functions as a transcendental orientation, khalifah as the actualization of human roles, and amanah as the ethical principle and accountability underlying the fulfillment of those roles. This reconstruction results in a conceptual framework of orientation-actualization-accountability. From the perspective of Tafsir Tarbawi, this framework indicates that Islamic education should develop human beings holistically by strengthening their spiritual, intellectual, social, and moral dimensions, thereby cultivating individuals who possess faith and knowledge, demonstrate good character, are capable of actualizing their potential, and are responsible in fulfilling their roles as servants of Allah and stewards of the earth