Reflection on Critical thinking and Reflection course

Throughout the Critical Thinking and Reflection course, my grasp and use of critical thinking
skills have undergone a significant transformation. This journey has been both enlightening and
challenging, compelling me to enhance my analytical skills and deepen my self-awareness. This
reflection paper seeks to encapsulate my learning experience, emphasizing key takeaways,
personal growth, and the practical application of the skills gained.

One of the most important lessons from the course was the structured approach to critical
thinking. Critical thinking is a cognitive process individuals use to assess situations and make
informed decisions. This mode of thinking intersects with other cognitive patterns like creative
problem-solving. It involves multiple steps, demanding objectivity, thorough examination, and
evaluation of evidence to arrive at well-founded conclusions or decisions. 1 Reflection offers a
framework for assessing learning, helping to integrate theories and concepts into practice, and
promoting ongoing thinking and innovation. Learning about various models, such as Gibbs'
Reflective Cycle, provided a systematic method to analyze experiences and activities. This
framework has been crucial in breaking down complex situations into manageable parts,
facilitating a more thorough understanding and evaluation. Gibbs introduced the concept of a
reflective cycle to encourage learners to systematically consider the various stages of an activity
or experience. The cycle incorporates six different elements: Description: the learner recalls
events, drawing on powers of observation to remember with accuracy and impartiality, Feelings:
the learner identifies reactions to the events, Evaluation: the learner weighs up positive and
negative aspects of the experience, Analysis: the learner marks personal interactions against
published literature and research, Conclusion: the learner summarizes responses to the events,
what has been learned and what reactions or responses would be best in future Action plan: a
method to formalize the outcome of the learner’s reflection.2

Moreover, the focus on questioning assumptions and considering multiple perspectives has
expanded my cognitive horizons. I have learned to tackle problems with an open mind, actively
seeking diverse viewpoints before drawing conclusions. This has not only improved my
analytical abilities but also fostered a greater appreciation for the complexity and nuance in most
issues.
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354682398_Critical_Thinking
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320342913_Learning_through_reflection
The course has also been a journey of personal growth. Engaging in reflective practices has
prompted me to scrutinize my thought processes, biases, and emotional responses more closely.
This introspection has heightened my self-awareness, allowing me to pinpoint areas for
improvement and recognize personal strengths. One of the most significant areas of growth has
been my ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty. Critical thinking often involves dealing
with incomplete information and navigating through grey areas. The skills and insights gained
from this course have had a tangible impact on various aspects of my life.

In academic settings, I have applied critical thinking techniques to enhance my research and
writing processes. By systematically evaluating sources and constructing well-reasoned
arguments, I have produced more coherent and persuasive academic work. In professional
contexts, the ability to think critically and reflectively has improved my problem-solving and
decision-making capabilities. I have become more skilled at identifying underlying issues,
evaluating potential solutions, and anticipating the consequences of different courses of action.
This has not only boosted my performance but also increased my confidence in tackling complex
tasks. Critical thinking has emerged as one of the foremost educational objectives that various
educational institutions aim to achieve through all programs offered to students across different
educational levels, including those in university settings.3

Additionally, the principles of critical thinking and reflection have enriched my personal life.
Reflection is a method for self-improvement and deeper learning that involves looking back on
an experience to learn from it and then progressing forward. 4 By applying these skills to
everyday situations, I have improved my interpersonal relationships and made more informed
choices. While the course has been immensely rewarding, it has also presented challenges. One
of the main difficulties I faced was the initial discomfort with reflective practices. It was
challenging to critically evaluate my own actions and confront uncomfortable truths about my
thought processes and biases. To overcome this, I gradually incorporated reflective exercises into
my routine, starting with less personal topics and gradually moving towards more introspective
reflections. Support from peers and instructors was also crucial in this process, providing

3
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
361533989_The_Relevance_of_Critical_Thinking_from_the_Perspective_of_Professional_Training/citation/
download
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372350059_Reflective_Journals_A_tool_for_Self-Reflection_Self-
Awareness_and_Professional_Development
encouragement and constructive feedback that helped me persevere and grow more comfortable
with self-examination.

Reflection is described as a form of mental processing, akin to thinking, that we utilize to fulfill a
purpose or achieve a desired outcome. We can also engage in reflection without a specific goal,
which can result in unexpected outcomes. Reflection proves valuable in volatile, uncertain,
complex, and ambiguous situations where no clear solution exists. It helps us delve deeper into
our experiences, previously held ideas, and understanding of the world, aiding in both sense-
making and sense-giving.5

In conclusion, the Critical Thinking and Reflection course has been a transformative experience,
equipping me with essential skills that will benefit me in various aspects of life. Reflection is an
active process of observing one's own experiences to examine them more closely. This may
involve briefly focusing on the experience or delving into it in greater depth. Reflection can
occur during an activity or as a standalone activity. 6 The structured approach to critical thinking,
combined with reflective analysis, has deepened my understanding, enhanced my problem-
solving abilities, and fostered personal growth. As I move forward, I am committed to continuing
the practice of critical thinking and reflection, confident in its power to drive positive change and
personal development.

References

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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
342227923_Overview_Why_and_How_Does_Reflection_Matter_in_Workplace_Learning/citation/download
6
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229021036_What_is_reflective_practice
Asadi, N. A.-, & Hussein, N. A. (2021). (PDF) critical thinking.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354682398_Critical_Thinking

Wain, Amanda. (2017). Learning through reflection. British Journal of Midwifery. 25. 662-666.
10.12968/bjom.2017.25.10.662.

Yadav, Seema & Journal, Educational Resurgence. (2022). Reflective Journals: A tool for Self-
Reflection, Self-Awareness and Professional Development.

Mihail, Rarita. (2022). The Relevance of Critical Thinking from the Perspective of Professional
Training. Postmodern Openings. 13. 499-513. 10.18662/po/13.2/468.

Amulya, Joy & Associate, Senior. (2004). What is reflective practice.

Faller, Pierre & Lundgren, Henriette & Marsick, Victoria. (2020). Overview: Why and How
Does Reflection Matter in Workplace Learning?. Advances in Developing Human
Resources. 22. 152342232092729. 10.1177/1523422320927295.