Presented at LILAC 2017

1. Cwtch up and THINK!
Fostering a reflective community of practice
Erica Swain & Nigel Morgan

2. Workshop outline
• introduction to collective reflection
• activity: images & quotes
• case study: collective reflection at Cardiff University Library Service
• feedback from YOU
• reflective video interlude
• activity: planning the collective reflection experience
• round-up and close

3. Cwtch, n.
Origin: Apparently originally < Welsh cwts, cwtsh couch,
resting place, recess (15th cent.).
1. A cupboard or cubby-hole, esp. used as a hiding place.
2. A cuddle; a hug.
OED Online
Snuggling and cuddling and loving and
protecting and safeguarding and calming,
all rolled into one.
Urban Dictionary

4. Reflective practice
...an activity undertaken by professionals to enable them to deal with
complex situations by evaluating actual or possible events or scenarios
to gain insight and learn from experience.
This could involve the individual thinking alone about some aspect of
their practice, or it may take place within a group discussion, with
colleagues or be part of a dialogue with another person.
(Greenall and Sen, 2016)

5. Why collective reflection?
Getting others to hold the mirror can:
• reinforce, challenge, and develop individual thinking
• help to make connections and formulate critical questions
• foster a community of practice
Collective reflection and regarding other people as esteemed colleagues
fosters a good atmosphere, gives time and space to other people and will
lead to a deeper understanding than one person alone can attain.
(Nissila, 2005)

6. Benefits can include:
• mutual support – supporting, nurturing, liberating
• confidence building / motivating
• overcoming barriers by exploring potential solutions
• restoring balance and objectivity
• improved performance in the classroom
(Tigelaar et al. 2006; Walsh 2009)
Why collective reflection?

7. Activity 1:
Pictures & quotes

8. Quotes for reflection
1. Coriolanus (William Shakespeare)
2. Candide (Voltaire)
3. The Prelude (William Wordsworth)
4. Titanic (alternative ending) (James Cameron)
5. The Hours (Michael Cunningham)
6. Speech [March 15, 1936] (Adolf Hitler)
7. Self-service kiosks (Tesco)
8. Welsh proverb (steady tapping breaks the stone)
9. Dreaming of Fresh Fields (Pam Ayres)
10. Expect Nothing (Alice Walker)
11. Tristan und Isolde (Act I) (Richard Wagner)
12. Iris Murdoch

9. Case study: Cardiff University
Library Service
Our collective reflection portfolio:
Handbook
for IL
Teaching
D & IL
Fora
Peer
Review
Triads
Journal
clubs
Blogs &
Boards
Team
teaching

11. Case study: Cardiff University
Library Service
Our collective reflection portfolio:
Handbook
for IL
Teaching
D & IL
Fora
Peer
Review
Triads
Journal
clubs
Blogs &
Boards
Team
teaching

12. Courtesy of Cathy Parker
(Physical Sciences & Engineering Team)

13. Reflecting at journal club

14. Peer Reflection
Peer Review of Learning
& Teaching (PRLT)
…
Peer-assisted Reflection
on Learning & Teaching

15. Case study: Cardiff University
Library Service
Our collective reflection portfolio:
Handbook for
IL Teaching
(HILT)
D & IL
Fora
Peer
Review
Triads
Journal
clubs
Blogs &
Boards
Team
teaching

16. Activity 2:
Time for ewe to reflect
1. Are there any collective reflection initiatives
in place in your organisation?
[Open question]
2. What do you feel are the main baa-rriers to
collective reflection? [Discuss in pairs]

17. Collective reflection: barriers?
• lack of time
• indulgent?
• personality issues
• being open and honest
• workplace cultures
• lack of confidence
• confidentiality
Any others?

18. Cardiff University reflections

19. A reflective video interlude …

20. Activity 3:
planning a reflective experience
Examples might include:
• online communities
• journal or book clubs
• forum-style discussion events
• reflective writing groups / diaries
• alternative option

21. Time for a quickie piccy switch?
Sorry the pics
aren’t
lamb-inated
today!

22. References
Booth, C. 2011. Reflective teaching, effective learning: instructional literacy for library
educators. Chicago: American Library Association.
Boud, D. et al. 2006. Productive reflection at work: learning for changing organizations.
Abingdon: Routledge.
Greenall, J. and Sen, B. A. 2016. Reflective practice in the library and information sector.
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 48(2), pp. 137-150.
Nissila, S. P. 2005. Individual and collective reflection: how to meet the needs of
development in teaching. European Journal of Teacher Education 28(2), pp. 209-219.
Simpson, C. and Trezise, E. 2011. Learning conversations as reflective practice. Reflective
Practice: International and Multidisciplinary Perspectives 12(4), pp. 469-480.
Tigelaar, D. E. H. et al. 2006. Portfolio as a tool to stimulate teachers' reflections. Medical
Teacher 28(3), pp. 277-282.
Walsh, A. 2009. Modes of reflection: is it possible to use both individual and collective
reflection to reconcile the ‘three‐party knowledge interests’ in workplace learning?
European Journal of Education 44(3), pp. 385-398.

23. SwainE@Cardiff.ac.uk
MorganNJ@Cardiff.ac.uk
Enjoy your cwtching!
Diolch yn fawr!