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A5 Practice-Based Learning 1 Reflective Thinking

Reflective learning involves reflecting on experiences in order to learn from them. Without reflection, experiences may be quickly forgotten or their learning potential lost. Reflecting on feelings and thoughts that emerge allows learners to generate generalizations or concepts from their experiences. It is these generalizations that enable learners to effectively tackle new situations. Reflective thinking is important for success in complex, unpredictable situations as it helps learners develop new perspectives, identify areas for improvement, and apply lessons learned from one experience to other challenges. The reflective learning cycle involves planning for an experience based on theories and past learning, acting or having the experience, observing what occurred, and reflecting on and evaluating the experience to inform new planning.

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21 views

A5 Practice-Based Learning 1 Reflective Thinking

Reflective learning involves reflecting on experiences in order to learn from them. Without reflection, experiences may be quickly forgotten or their learning potential lost. Reflecting on feelings and thoughts that emerge allows learners to generate generalizations or concepts from their experiences. It is these generalizations that enable learners to effectively tackle new situations. Reflective thinking is important for success in complex, unpredictable situations as it helps learners develop new perspectives, identify areas for improvement, and apply lessons learned from one experience to other challenges. The reflective learning cycle involves planning for an experience based on theories and past learning, acting or having the experience, observing what occurred, and reflecting on and evaluating the experience to inform new planning.

Uploaded by

earlcorr
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reflective Learning: ‘It is not sufficient simply to have an experience

in order to learn. Without reflecting upon this experience it may Study Advice and Maths Support
quickly be forgotten, or its learning potential lost. It is from the
feelings and thoughts emerging from this reflection that
generalisations or concepts can be generated. And it is generalisations
that allow new situations to be tackled effectively.’ (Gibbs 1988)

Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods Reflective thinking
London, UK: Further Education Unit.
Practice-based learning 1
Top Tip: Keep comparing theory to practice and exploring the relationship
between the two.
Many academic disciplines are closely linked to real world situations and
Using theory: Assignments involving reflective thinking often ask you professions and, increasingly, work-based placements can be a valuable
to refer to both relevant theories and your own experiences, but what aspect of learning. Students are often required to reflect upon their
does this mean? Academic theories and your professional observations practices, link their reflections to theories and communicate in writing
are both evidence that you need to use to support your points, but they an understanding of the connection between the reflection and theory.
are different types of evidence: This guide explores how to develop your reflective thinking. It includes
Academic theories provide a generalised model or framework to help advice on:
you understand what might be happening in a situation – the Reflective The benefits of reflective thinking
Learning Cycle on page 2 of this guide is an example of a theoretical
model – it gives you a structure to compare your own experiences to and The reflective learning cycle
language to help you explain what is happening. Developing your reflective insights
Your own experiences are what happens in practice; these may be
more complex and richer than an abstract model, but it can be harder to
see what is relevant. By comparing your experiences to a theory or
Benefits of reflective thinking
theories, you can develop some more insightful explanations for what Reflective thinking is essential for success in unpredictable and complex
happened. Also use your own experiences to interrogate and question situations such as working with customers or clients.
theories – does the theory fit what happened? If not, why? Does the
Reflective thinking helps you to:
theory only explain part of the story? Does the theory need to be
adapted for different situations? Develop a questioning attitude and new perspectives
For more on this and other aspects of academic study, see our Identify areas for change and improvement
website at www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Respond effectively to new challenges
Generalise and apply what you have learned from one situation
© Dr Judy Turner, Dr Michelle Reid & Dr Kim Shahabudin.
University Study Advice & Maths Support team to other situations
plan? Did your goals change? How did your actions affect the situation
The reflective learning cycle and how did the situation affect you? How do your observations fit with
the theories you have read?
Plan again…
Plan
Formulate a new action plan based on your experience in the previous
situation or session with the client. Use the outcomes of your reflection,
rethinking and reinterpreting. Include the wider context of theory,
models of knowledge and practice.
Act
Reflect
Act again….

Developing your reflective insights


Observe Be prepared to:
Stand back from the events and try to be objective
Be critical of your own actions
This cycle is iterative, so it doesn’t stop after one rotation; you apply
what you learn, then continue to reflect and develop further. Think of alternative explanations of events
Make use of evidence from a range of sources e.g. theories
Plan
Based on the wider context, theory, models of knowledge and practice, Recognise that your own point of view will change with time
previous experience etc. think carefully about how others have Discuss with others to deepen your insight and explore a range of
performed similar tasks and use this understanding to develop, modify,
perspectives
change, adapt, and then formulate an action plan for the situation you
are expecting to encounter.
Reflective questions to ask yourself
Act
Apply the method or approaches developed in the Plan, with a client or Why did I respond in this way?
situation. Maintain self awareness. Be prepared to creatively adapt and
What was I thinking and feeling – did this influence me, and why?
change goals as you go along – while keeping your plan in mind.
Observe What was the client thinking and feeling, what is the evidence for
As soon as possible, review the session and your observations of what this?
happened, the effects on the client or situation and on yourself. Produce What else could I have done?
an accurate and objective description of the event.
What would I do in a similar situation?
Reflect
How does my experience compare to what I have read? Are there any
Reflect upon and evaluate the session and your actions. Analyse your
own experience of what you did and how you did it. Reflect on the theories that would help explain what happened?
strengths and weaknesses of your actions, identify problems and issues What might be the results of doing things differently? What evidence
for investigation, develop your insight. There is no correct answer and is there to show things might change if done differently?
some things may remain difficult to interpret. Did you achieve your
How has the experience changed my understanding?

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