reflective practice: evidence of personal growth

ReflectivePracticeEvidence of Personal Growth

What’s reflection?

“..a generic term for those intellectual and affective activities in which individuals engage to explore their experiences in order to lead to new understanding and appreciation.”

(Boud, D. Keogh, R. Walker, D. 1985)

What’s reflection?

“Tell me, I will forget. Show me, I will remember. Involve me, I will understand.”

(Chinese proverb)

What’s reflection?

Experiential learning

What’s reflection?

Experiential learning

Understanding through action

So why do we do it?

It is important for professionals (and those preparing to become professionals) to reflect on their learning through experiences

So why do we do it?

It is important for professionals (and those preparing to become professionals) to reflect on their learning through experiences

Just experiencing the event is not enough

So why do we do it?

Without taking the time to review our experiences, considering them in light of theory and considering their future implications, we are likely to repeat our actions in future situations…

So why do we do it?

…which means we may make the same mistake again and again.

So why do we do it?

Or we could learn from our experiences.

So how do we do it?

Reflection is a mental process

So how do we do it?

Reflection is a mental process

It’s a contemplation or consideration

So how do we do it?

The thoughts and opinions that come to you while you are reflecting are called reflections…

So how do we do it?

…and these are your interpretations of what is going on and lie somewhere between learning and thinking.

So how do we do it?

…and these are your interpretations of what is going on and lie somewhere between learning and thinking.

It’s thinking honestly.

Reflective writing…

Reflective writing…

is evidence of reflective thinking…

Reflective writing…

is evidence of reflective thinking…

In an academic context it usually involves:

Reflective writing…

Looking back at an experience (often an event, but also an object or idea which you had encountered)

Reflective writing…

Analysing that experience (thinking in depth and from different perspectives, and trying to explain it, often with reference to a model or theory from your study)

Reflective writing…

Thinking carefully about what that experience means for you and your ongoing process as a learner and/or a practicing professional

Reflective writing…

Breaks down into three parts:

Reflective writing…

Breaks down into three parts:

Description• What happened?• What is being examined?

Reflective writing…

Breaks down into three parts:

Interpretation• What is most important/useful/relevant

about this experience?• How is it like or unlike others?

Reflective writing…

Breaks down into three parts:

Outcome• What have I learned from this?• What does this mean for my future?• How can I prepare for it in the future?

Reflective writing…

e.g. Description

“I made a simple pronunciation error in Spanish class…”“The teacher immediately and abruptly corrected me before I could correct myself”

Reflective writing…

Interpretation

“I felt embarrassed and angry which led to silence and resentment…”“The teacher’s actions did not help the student and compounded the error.”

Reflective writing…

Outcome

“As a teacher, I am sensitive to the student during error correction …”“I attempt to focus upon the student’s reactions even when hurried or distracted.”

Four key points

Reflection is an exploration of events, not just a description of them

Four key points

Genuine reflective writing often reveals anxieties, errors or weaknesses, as well as strengths and successes

Four key points

It is normally necessary to select just the most significant parts of the event or idea upon which you are reflecting

Four key points

It is often used to reflect forward to the future as well as reflecting back on the past

A final word…

A final word…

Reflective writing is a powerful learning tool. Though it may prove to be uncomfortable, you will gain the most from the process by being as honest and thorough as you can.

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