The document discusses reflective writing and two models of reflection: the 3 Ws model (What, So what, Now what) and Schön's model. Schön's model proposes two types of reflection - reflection in action, which occurs during an event by thinking on one's feet, and reflection on action, which occurs after an event by taking time to reflect. The document provides examples of applying both models and critiques of Schön's work. It instructs teachers on setting up reflective writing blogs and topics to reflect on, and concludes by having teachers assess their own learning.

1. Reflective Writing
The 3 W’s and Schön's Model.

2. What you will do in this session
● You are going to explore some models of
reflection and have a go at one model.
● You are going to critique a respected model of
reflective practice and present your thoughts.
● You are going to set up a reflective writing
space on Wordpress

3. By the end of this session you will be able to:
All – Explain the What? So what? Now what? model of reflection
Most – Demonstrate the What? So what? Now what? model of reflection
Some – Appraise the usefulness of the What? So what? Now what? model of
reflection in your own practice
All – Describe Schön’s models of reflection
Most – Employ Schön’s models of reflection in your own practice
Most – Critique Schön’s models of reflection
All - Explain why reflective writing is important for professional development
Most - Explain how cooperative blogging can be an effective way to develop
Some - Adapt this practice to their own teaching
Have a look at your traffic light sheet and see what you already know.

4. Jumpstart Journal
What are YOUR goals for today’s session?
Take 2 minutes to write down what you want to get out of this session.

5. Reflective
Writing
As part of the eportfolio
modules you are required
to keep a reflective journal.
You will peer assess each
other’s journals in given
groups. Reflective journal
entries must be posted no
fewer than every two
weeks.

6. What will I reflect on?
You are required to reflect on the following topics in this module:
● Using reflection and feedback from others to improve your teaching
● Reviewing and extending your subject knowledge
● The role of English, maths & ICT in the subjects you teach
● Issues of equality, diversity and inclusion, both as challenges and
opportunities
● The 2014 Professional Standards and their place in your personal and
professional development
Adapted from the module guide

7. Other areas you may wish to reflect on
● Journal articles you have read
● Education news in current affairs
● Developments in your vocational area
● Peer observations and walkthroughs (you observing
another teacher’s practice)
● How what you are learning about in class (theory) fits with
your own teaching (practice) (theory + practice = praxis)

8. Or some of these ideas...

9. How to structure
your writing
When you write reflectively, use the three W's:
● What? (description)
What happened?
Who was involved?
● So what? (interpretation)
What is most important/interesting/relevant/
useful aspect of the event/idea/situation?
How can it be explained?
How is it similar to/different from others?
● What next? (outcome)
What have I learned?
How can it be applied in the future?

10. Let’s have a go
What? So what? Now what?

11. What? So what? Now what?
Your reflection needs to say:
● What happened, or What you did
(be brief here)
● So what? Why is it significant?
Critical analysis.
● Now what? Say what action you
will take based on your reflective
analysis
Remember, we reflect so that we can
improve our practice.
You have 10 minutes to write a brief
reflection on a critical incident that has
happened recently.

12. Donald Schön Schön describes professional practice as
complex and messy.
He suggests that the professional is
knowledgeable in a unique way.
The professional, he explains, demonstrates
‘knowing in action’, which becomes ‘reflection
in action’.
Reflection in action is being creative, thinking
on your feet, and being spontaneous.
It is linked to what Van Maanen (1995) calls
competent performance.

13. Donald Schön Effective reflection in action is born of
experience.
Experience is fashioned from reflection
on action - taking your time to reflect
after the event.
Think about the activity you just
completed - what? so what? now what?
That is an example of reflection on
action.

14. In summary:
Schön puts forward the concept of ‘reflection in action’ and ‘reflection on action’
Schön's suggestion is that there are two types of reflection, one during and one after
an activity or event.
Reflection in action:
● Experiencing
● Thinking on your feet
● Thinking about what to do next
● Acting straight away
Reflection on action:
● Thinking about something that has
happened
● Thinking about what you would do
differently next time
● Taking your time

15. Critique of Schön’s ideas
There are three main criticisms of Schön’s ideas
1. It is not always possible to ‘slow things down’ enough to think on your feet
2. Is it always wise for a teacher to disclose professional dilemmas & perceived
limitations in their own practice?
3. Do these models take into account things outside of the control of the
individual teacher?
Please discuss these in your group. You have 30 minutes to discuss the questions
and create a poster explaining your thoughts for each question. You will then
present your posters.

16. What have you learned?
Get out your traffic light sheets. Have a look at the learning outcomes and
mark yourself in the end of the session column. How far have you moved on?
Homework:
1. Using Jumpstart Journal as a prompt, write a reflective entry on your blog
2. Try to follow the other members of your blogging team on Wordpress
3. Read: Chapter 13 of Avis, Fisher, Thompson (2015)