Agnes Sealy's reflection highlights two major issues: first, the importance of constructivism in Schön’s theory of reflective practice, asserting that reflection fosters the construction of new knowledge; and second, the role of social media in supporting personal reflection, despite privacy concerns and the management of multiple digital identities. Sealy mentions that social media can provide tools for individuals to reflect on their online content, but there are limitations in understanding how it facilitates self-reflection. Overall, the integration of constructivist principles and digital platforms can enhance the reflective process.

1. Module 2
A Brief Reflection
by Agnes Sealy

2. Question
How did the reflection assignments
help you construct your
understanding of the issues
discussed in the readings?
For this presentation, I will highlight
two issues from my readings and my
understanding of these issues.

3. Issue #1 – Lack of Research to the
Constructivist Underpinnings of Schon’s
Theory of Reflective Practice
• Kinsella (2006) has highlighted Nelson Goodman as a major
constructivist influencer of Schön’s theory
• The author suggests that reflective practitioners should
consider the theory of constructivism when participating in
the reflective process
• Researchers have differed on how constructivism should be
defined but agree on the following:
 Knowledge is constructed for the most part through the
process of reflection
 Cognition is activated through the construction process
 “Cognitive structures are under continual development”
(Kinsella, 2006, p. 279)

4. From exploring the consequences of one’s actions, one can make inferences and through
experimentation, conclude if the correct action was taken or measures implemented.
Such activity suggest that as one reflects, they construct new knowledge.
The researcher’s examination of the literature presented by Schön has revealed a link
between the constructivist learning theory and reflective practice.
I concur with the researcher that constructivism is a critical element of the reflective
process, as there is a decomposition of prior knowledge and composition of the new.

5. Issue #2 – Social Media Can Be Used To
Support Personal Reflection
• Social media networks provide opportunities
for individuals to share multiple digital
identities.
• Individuals can find it burdensome to manage
multiple digital identities and as they self-
express, private aspects of their lives may be
exposed to an inappropriate or unintended
audience (Thomas, et al., 2018).
• The issue of privacy in the online
environment has caused individuals to reflect
on their digital identities.

6. • Although there is much research on Computer-
Mediated Communications, Thomas et al. (2018)
note that it lacks a mechanism to provide insight
to users on a comprehensive understanding and
management of their multiple identities.
• There is a limitation in identifying how self-
reflection can be supported using social media.
• Facebook is a social media network that uses
short reflection videos for individuals to
reminisce and reflect on their past postings.

7. • Thomas et al. (2018) explored the transformation of digital data into
three physical forms, namely,
 A printed book
 A triptych
 A film
• Individuals can use these forms to reflect on the content posted to
social media sites. They can review the book, the triptych, and the
film for the things they liked, disliked, and can improve on. Such
activity seems to follow Gibbs’ Reflective Model.
• Content posted by the individual can be viewed within and outside of
its original context since other users can repost it for viewing by an
unintended or inappropriate audience. However, Thomas et al. (2018,
p. 61) are concerned that individuals do not “consider the potential
benefit to their future selves”.

8. References
Kinsella, E. A. (2006). Constructivist underpinnings in Donald Schon’s theory of reflective
practice: Echoes of Nelson Goodman. Reflective Practice, 7(3), 277-286.
Thomas, L., Briggs, P., Kerrigan, F., & Hart, A. (2018). Exploring digital remediation in
support of personal reflection. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 110,
53-62.
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