The document discusses the lack of agreement on the definition of reflection, with literature on the topic being confusing and contradictory. While Donald Schön's work on reflective practice in professions is influential, it is also problematic. The document reviews various thinkers' perspectives on reflection, including Schön, Gibbs, Rolfe, Kolb and Fry, and Honey and Mumford. It ultimately defines reflection as making sense of experience, and notes it is not just describing an event but capturing insights.

1. What is this ‘Reflection Thing’
anyway (Can we agree?)

2. What is Reflection?
• “Despite the enormous proliferation of
literature on the nature and practice of
reflection, still little is agreed about what it
is, and that which is asserted is confusing and
contradictory”. (Ixer, 1999)

3. Is there agreement on what reflection
means?
• “Even the work of D. Schön, which lies behind
the debate on reflective practice in the
professions, is problematic”. (Ixer, 1999)
• http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-schon.htm

4. Schon: “Reflection in/on Action”

5. Schon: ‘Loopy’ Learning

6. Phil Race

7. Gibbs (1988)

8. Rolfe (2001)

9. Kolb & Fry (1975)

10. Honey & Mumford

11. Don’t be a ‘square’: Be a Rhombus!

12. A Definition?
• Ultimately, it is about "making sense of
experience" (Cottrell, 2003: 171).
• Reflection is not about describing an event in
simply narrative terms. It's about capturing
thoughts, understandings and critical insights.
• http://www.ukcle.ac.uk/resources/personal-
development-planning/introduction/