Critical reflection
Purpose of reflection
Reflective practice sees experiences from other viewpoints. It examines different scenarios (Bolton, 2005, 4). It encourages learning and developing by examination of a situation. It looks at how others might see it (Bolton, 2005, 7).
For what reason are you reflecting? It could be…
- Assessment
- Professional development
- Just because you want to!
It’s important to identify what you want to achieve. What do you want to understand or do better because of it?
There are many ways to reflect (e.g. blogs, journals, essays, discussion, workplace CPD)
Characteristics of Critical Reflection
Selection: you can select one aspect of practice for analysis
Changing perspective: you can analyse different angles and try seeing it from another’s point of view
Returning to experience: it could be a recurring incident, a critical incident, maybe based on a theme, or a particular challenge you had to face
Analysis of role: analyse the impact of your role in a situation, reasons you did things, any changes that took place within you or your group for example
Received wisdom: what are the theories and research that apply to the situation?
Deepening understanding: you should start to make sense of your experience
Using insights to effect change: you should be aiming to make a difference – e.g. more effective studying or developing in professional practice
Reflective writing
Reflective writing is…
- Written in the first person (I) with a focus on yourself
- Generally more personal than other forms of academic writing
- Helpful when you’re asked to evaluate experiences
- Focused on your experiences, thoughts, feelings, assumptions
- A form of self-supervision
- Honest and spontaneous
- Subjective
- A record of your thoughts and experiences that you can return to
- An investment of time