The Art of Reflection

 Challenge Perceptions

Image located here:

http://www.mrgiggles.co.uk/images/Old%20Lady%20Young%20Lady.jpg

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

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nmp/sonet/rlos/placs/critical_reflection/practical/index.html 

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.

Mind Mapping

http://www.mindmeister.com/69159892/web-2-0-tools-opportunity  Mind mapping is a very useful tool in facilitating learning. It gives a "visual" to a concept and links and organises information. Mind mapping can be used for planning and organising, evaluating, explaining, brainstorming and reviewing and can be used collaboratively or individually.

The above link provides a mind map of my experience with Web 2.0 Tools.

The Wordle Experiment

Reflection

Reflection: A Prezi Experiment 

Time for Reflection and Connection

Now I have established a peaceful view, found a distraction and shared some food, it is time to record some goals for my e-journey. 

I have embarked on this travel in the search of personal development which I have not previously accessed. I have always accessed internet tools in my training practice beginning with on-line games that build literacy, numeracy and basic IT skills. 

I ventured into the world of wiki, creating a resource for blended delivery. This wiki provided a forum for students to interact with me and with their peers. It provided links to resources and activities and assessment tasks could be accessed via the wiki providing students the opportunity to chose work that reflected their interests.  The main aim was to promote self-learning through offering choice and by offering 'tasters' of what can be achieved on-line. The wiki also offered the opportunity for self-paced learning. Students were encouraged to develop their own wikis as e-portfolios and this process was shared with a colleague with a similar vision.

Unfortunately, this journey ended and the wiki remains idle, gathering cyber dust and waiting for the second coming. I began facilitating an entirely different course which is challenging in different ways and has afforded me the opportunity for much reflection. Facilitating this course has been an experience which has led me to recognise the need for personal development through developing networks and expanding skills in the area of e-learning. I hope to expand my horizons by 'connecting' with others who have different experiences and perspectives. 

The overall learning goal is to learn as much as possible thereby growing facilitation and assessment skills. 

The short term goal is to develop a more specific focus so I can master one skill before heading off onto another. 

Sooo much temptation... so back to reflection...

Easy Mocha Slice

This is a favourite of foraging teens.

Ingredients

Dry ingredients

• 8 ozs Marie or Malt Biscuits, crushed
• 1 heaped dessertspoon of coffee powder
• 2 heaped dessertspoons of cocoa

Wet ingredients

• 4ozs melted butter
• 1/2 tin condensed milk
• 1-2 ozs cooking chocolate, melted

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Press into tin.
Melt together 2/3oz of copha and 5 ozs of melted chocolate and spread over the slice. Pipe rows of melted white chocolate over and create pattern by passing a skewer through. Allow to set before cutting into squares.

Small Pond for Frogs

Small Pond for Frogs

This is a photo of the pond installed in May 2010. It fills a hole left by a tree stump and improves the view from the lounge room window. We hope some frogs will find it although the spray may deter them. Meanwhile, birds are enjoying the spray. The native violets are spreading and will soon cover the area and the edge of the pond.