Critical Reflection Introduction

Part of the course involves learning to and providing evidence that we can critically reflect.

Brigden, Lilley and Sackville note that we reflect naturally,but this means that we can take reflection for granted. We can reflect in action or on action, and the Kolb (1984), Gibbs (1988) and Smith and Irby (1997) models are designed around reflecting on action. My post about the session1 article by Randy Bass noted that there is a school of thought that sees reflection as best done in action, but these assume that there is value in the on action method.

Gibbs (1988) saw reflection as:

• 1) describe what happened
• 2) describe what you felt and thought
• 3) evaluate whether it was good or bad
• 4) analyse
• 5) conclude what else you could have done
• 6) create an action plan for next time.

I could try to apply these to my work at some point.

Smith and Irley (1997) had 3 ideas to help with reflection:

• 1) Use a reflective notebook
• 2) Have a mentor
• 3) Use learning groups

Well, if we count this as my reflective notebook, those 3 things will be part of my course experience.