The document discusses the importance of reflection, evaluation, and continuing professional development. It emphasizes that reflective practice is key to self-evaluation and improving one's work. Reflective thinking helps workers better understand their strengths, weaknesses, values, and how to improve performance over time. The document provides examples of reflective questions for small group discussions and maintaining a personal journal to document professional learning and development.

1. Reflective PracticeIn our community of practice

2. Something to start us thinking!IQ is a reliable indicator of learning abilityReflectiveness is a critical element in learningTeaching adults is the same as teaching childrenLearning on-the-job is the best way of learning

3. The context of this topic within the industry.Key words:·Reflect·improve upon·professionalwe need to:·think about what we do·reflect on how we could do it better·locate what we do, and the standard to which we do it, within a professional framework.

4. “Reflective teachers never stop asking themselves what the nature of teaching really is.”Max van Manen 1994, “ Pedagogy, virtue and narrative identity in teaching” cited in P.Willis,1998 Inviting Learning

5. Why is the process of reflection, evaluation and continuing professional development important?

6. Because skilled workers are more productive workers, we could assume that this will result in:higher retention rates

7. lower staff turnover

8. higher productivity

9. better client service

10. higher profit or use of funds.Why keep professional journals?

11. SELF-EVALUATIONSelf-evaluation is both a concept, and a set of strategies or tools. It refers to our understanding of ourselves – how we ‘manage’ ourselves and the growing need to manage change.

12. What do I do well? What could I do better? The conceptual approach to managing self or ‘self-evaluation’ stresses that the most effective workers and managers know themselves. They know:Their strengthsWeaknessesWhat they stand for – their valuesWhen to say yes and when to say noWhat they want to achieve.

13. Small Group DiscussionAsk yourselves How do I:work better under pressure?meet core functions within deadlines?maintain enthusiasm for my job?Maintain my health?Manage my time?

14. Our own professional journeyPersonal wikis: A place to practise becoming critically reflective learners.

15. Discussion Threads: A place to practise being critically reflective workersThis is the place to be the “analytical worker”. Use it to post up events that happen in your centre that you would like to share with us and to reflect upon as a group. An insight you gained or that “aha” moment when something in your perception shifted for you.

16. I will also post up questions which you will use as starters fro discussion. Reflecting on Discussion threads

17. Why does Reflective Learning matter?

18. Reflective Learning

19. Reflective LearningWhat does it mean to you?

20. Reflective Learning: QuestioningWHO SAYS SO? IN WHOSE INTEREST? WHY? WHAT’S MISSING?WHAT IF? accuracy logic depth fairness credibility intellectual clarity

21. Reflective Learning: Bridging§ Reflection can help to bridge the gap between theory and practicehttp://webcampus.drexelmed.edu/CommunityExperience/

22. Reflective Learning: IncorporatingI’ve started to incorporate reflective practice into my work…I’m now much more aware of what’s working and whether things need to be changed.

23. Reflective Learning: Sustaining§ Reflection can help deal with ambiguity, stress and changehttp://www.sussex.ac.uk/elearning/splash.php

24. Reflective Learning: EmpoweringA person with strong critical thinking skills can be described as self-directed,self-monitoredand self-disciplined.http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/define-critical-thinking.html