Reflective Practice information slides to introduce/remind students of requirements of Reflective Writing

1. Reflective
Practice
Evidence of
Personal
Growth

2. 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)

3. What’s reflection?
“Tell me, I will forget.
Show me, I will remember.
Involve me, I will understand.”
(Chinese proverb)

4. What’s reflection?
Experiential learning

5. What’s reflection?
Experiential learning
Understanding through action

6. So why do we do it?
It is important for professionals (and those
preparing to become professionals) to reflect
on their learning through experiences

7. 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

8. 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…

9. So why do we do it?
…which means we may make the same
mistake again and again.

10. So why do we do it?
Or we could learn from our experiences.

11. So how do we do it?
Reflection is a mental process

12. So how do we do it?
Reflection is a mental process
It’s a contemplation or consideration

13. So how do we do it?
The thoughts and opinions that come to you
while you are reflecting are called
reflections…

14. So how do we do it?
…and these are your interpretations of what
is going on and lie somewhere between
learning and thinking.

15. 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.

16. Reflective writing…

17. Reflective writing…
is evidence of reflective thinking…

18. Reflective writing…
is evidence of reflective thinking…
In an academic context it usually involves:

19. Reflective writing…
Looking back at an experience
(often an event, but also an object or
idea which you had encountered)

20. 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)

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

22. Reflective writing…
Breaks down into three parts:

23. Reflective writing…
Breaks down into three parts:
Description
• What happened?
• What is being examined?

24. Reflective writing…
Breaks down into three parts:
Interpretation
• What is most important/useful/relevant
about this experience?
• How is it like or unlike others?

25. 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?

26. 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”

27. 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.”

28. 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.”

29. Four key points
Reflection is an exploration of events, not
just a description of them

30. Four key points
Genuine reflective writing often reveals
anxieties, errors or weaknesses, as well as
strengths and successes

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

32. Four key points
It is often used to reflect forward to the future
as well as reflecting back on the past

33. A final word…

34. 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.

36. Image credits
All images sourced from Flickr via TinEye Labs’ MulticolrEngine
Vladimer Shioshvili
droplets
Leki B-right-on
DSC_0132.JPG
Don Richards
Reptiles
brx0
geranium
Enric Martinez
Bloemen I -5
titanium22
wisteria
ROBSON
M (81)
titanium22
Asparagus sprengeri
fdecomite
Solar Eclipse