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What is Reflective Practice?

Reflective practice is "the capacity to reflect on

action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning", which, according to the originator of the term, is "one of the defining characteristics of professional practice"

Learning from our observations means that we need to:

Avoid just descriptions of events.

Consider What is going well or not so well /happened / might have happened /how you reacted/ you did or might do/ might be the next step/ what you said/ the consequences/ challenges Why something is going well or not / happened or didnt/ you reacted / felt in a particular way How did you do something/ it feels: for you & others/ do you know/ it can be changed or resolved When has this occurred/ happened before/
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What is a reflective journal ?

Have you used a reflective journal

before? May be called a learning log or reflective log or diary but it is not the same as a personal diary. Let us consider how it differs from a personal diary.

A reflective journal
Has no hard and fast rules Has a personal style.
It contains impressions, descriptions, thoughts and feelings Can be used as a tool for analysis and reflection Over time patterns and relationships emerge which were

previously isolated events.

A journal can take any form

Diary, notebook, Ring file, scrapbook, album
E-file Jottings, prose, drawings, diagrams, cartoon strips,

photographs, cuttings, annotated documents

Who is a journal for?

Your journal is for

YOU! You might share with a colleague/s as

response partner/s. Try to establish this special relationship with a critical friend You might write jointly.

Ownership and meaning

When learners make journals their own they are more useful and meaningful

SEE EXAMPLES which format appeals to you?

What might you record in your journal?

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You might record

information
events contexts

roles
relationships and interactions

emotions and responses

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When might you use your journal?

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You might use your journal

During events, discussions, readings Immediately after events, discussions, readings

During Research of after an experiment

Later - after time to reflect.

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Activity
Go to Wordpress.com and create your

own Free Blog, ensure it is Private and Invite Rprice@themanchestercollege.ac.uk You will also need to share this with your project supervisor.
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Research activity
Break into groups and research a Model of reflective practice
Group 1 Schn - Reflective practitioner Group 2 Gibbs Reflective cycle Group 3 Johns Reflective cycle Group 4 Rolfe Reflective model Group 5 Kolb - Experiential learning

Each group will then deliver a SHORT presentation

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Discussion

What sort of information did you

record? How did you feel about the task? Is there anything you would like to add at this stage? If so, annotate your journal now.

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So, what can you find out through keeping a journal?

What happened? What were the facts? What was the context for the events? What was my role? What feelings and sense surrounded the event? What did I do? What was the role of others? / What did they do?
Continued

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What can you find out through keeping a journal?

Continued

What did others feel about the situation?

What were the significant events that took place?

What else might I have done?

What are the implications? What do I need to do next?

And

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Homework
1. Create an entry about this lesson
Think about how you might use your journal for professional

development during and after the course. What are the issues for you of keeping a reflective journal? What are the issues for you of reflective practice? How might you address the issues you have identified?

2. Create a Template post for your blog entry

3. Create a Journal entry for each lesson you have this

week using your template

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