Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Art of Reflection


 Challenge Perceptions
Image located here:

This blog has been developed for a course titled Connect and Reflect. The focus is professional development. In the past week, we have been challenging our perceptions, exploring ways in which to provide and receive effective feedback and developing reflective skills. We are also reflecting on ethics in our practice. We have looked at models for reflection and practiced reflective writing.  As part of the reflective process, we have been encouraged to blog. The process of documenting experiences and thoughts leads to deeper reflection and when shared, invites feedback. This feedback is invaluable as it provides alternative perspectives and encourages further reflection. 

This is a list of the attributes of a reflector. This list appears in this Reusable Learning Object. It is titled “Critical Reflection”.
A reflector is...
  • Self aware
  • Open to other’s ideas
  • Able to accept praise or criticism
  • Imaginative
  • Enquiring
  • Able to think laterally
  • Able to challenge their assumptions
  • Able to acknowledge their emotional side
  • Empathetic
  • Able to see things from other perspectives
  • A reflector does not jump to conclusions!
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nmp/sonet/rlos/placs/critical_reflection/reflectors/index.html
    Skills required by a reflector include:
    • Writing
    • Looking
    • Thinking
    • Doing
    • Dialogue
    • Keeping records

    By engaging in this learning topic, I am working toward improving my skills in providing effective feedback. I realise the value of immediate feedback and how posing appropriate questions can lead to deeper reflection and understanding. Through the learning activities for this topic, I have realised that I do not always see the whole. I need to hone my skills of observation. 

    By using a model for reflective writing and sharing this writing, I received constructive feedback which enabled me to gain a different perspective of an incident which had troubled me. I have identified gaps in my ability to reflect deeply and can work towards more insightful reflection.  I note that many models reflect David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle but recognise that there is no right or wrong model. 

    My professional behaviours are guided by legislation, standards and codes of practice and principles that are interpreted in organisational policy and procedure. I have questioned how my personal values and bias meld with these and believe that I practice within the determined framework.

    I am so glad I embarked on this journey and relish the challenges it brings.

    2 comments:

    1. Fiona I like this post very much - it brings out many of the elements of reflective writing in a way that makes sense to the reader.
      Now that you've begun your blogging journey I recommend that you link to this blog from your eportfolio. This will provide the evidence of your reflections and the sharing of the comments about it.
      CC

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    2. This is a wonderful reflective piece. You have synthesised your learning, applied it to yourself and your practice, shown insight and given some indication of how you might do things differently as a consequence.

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