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Reflection
2 What is Reflection?
 Considering experiences and how they have formed knowledge and
practice

 A process of learning

 Looking back at what has been done to consider what could be done

 A review, analysis and evaluation, when applied appropriately can lead

to development
3 Advantages of Reflection
 Facilitates greater gains from education, experiences and other
activities

 Sets the scene for and creates life-long learning

 Maximises personal and economic potential

 Enhances employability and enterprise skills

 Enables continuous development

 Potential Barriers to Reflection
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 Thinking only about the end goal rather than the process

 Viewing things in a short term manner

 Thinking that reflective practice is just about being ‘emotional’

 Not being entirely honest with yourself

 Not being in an environment that enables or encourages reflection

 Ways to enhance reflection and development
 Engage with the Process
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 Read - around the topics you are learning about or want to learn about and develop

 Ask - others about the way they do things and why, you do not always have to agree but you can consider
rationale.

 Listen – actively and constructively to learn from others

 Observe - what is going on around you to see how aspects come together, where it works and where it
could be improved

 Feel - pay attention to your emotions, what prompts them, and how you deal with negative ones, how you
foster positive ones. Consider reflection as a good practice.

 Talk - share your views and experiences with others in your organisation
 Theories that could help reflection: Gibb’s reflective Cycle
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Image obtained: https://www.kent.ac.uk/learning/PDP-and-employability/pdp/reflective.html

 Theories that could help reflection: Gibb’s reflective Cycle
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Think about the last assessment you have taken, a coursework, exam, driving test, anything where you have
been assessed.

Description:
 What happened and what were you trying to achieve?
 Using specific and relevant detail, give a concise description of your experience (i.e. what you are
reflecting on)

Feelings:
 What were your thoughts about the assessment, your preparation, actually doing it etc. at the time?
 How did you feel and what did you think prior to the experience?
 How did you feel and what did you think during the experience?
 How did you react during the experience?
 How did you feel and what did you think after the experience?
 Theories that could help reflection: Gibb’s reflective Cycle
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Evaluation:
 What did you think went well as was good about the experience?
 What did you think could have gone better and what did you dislike about the experience?
 How did the experience end?
Analysis:
 Reconsider the things that could have gone better and write why you think they went badly (causes of
action).
 Reconsider the things that went badly and write what you think this leads to (consequences of action).
 Think about what could have been done to have avoided these negative consequences.
 Reconsider the things that went well and write why you think they went well (causes of action).
 Reconsider the things that went well and write what you think this lead to (consequences of action).
 Think about how this positive action could have been further improved.
 Theories that could help reflection: Gibb’s reflective Cycle
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Conclusion:
 What should or could have been done differently?
 What stopped you from doing this?
 What did you learn about yourself during the experience (positive and/or negative)?
 What did you learn about your current knowledge or level of practice (strengths and weaknesses)?
 Did the experience achieve any of your learning goals or meet any of your required competencies?
Action Plan:
 What could you do in order to be better prepared to face this experience in future?
 Even if the experience was positive and you did well, in which areas could you improve?
 What are the priority areas that need to be developed?
 What specific steps do you need to take in order to achieve these improvements?
10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
gbczr0lRf4
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gbczr0lRf4
11 Theories that could help reflection
 Theories and models help us to structure our thought process

 Consider the appreciate the theory

 Apply theory to own experience

 Reflect on the learning

 What would you do next to make sure things stay good or could be even better?
 SWOT Analysis
12 A strategic tool used to identify key applicable factors and in turn develop effective courses of
action.

Internal Factors: factors within the control/influence of the organisation/person

External Factors: factors that the organisation/person does not have direct control/influence of but
could affect the organisation/person

Strength: internal factor, positive characteristic. Something that the organisation/person knows that
they do well.

Weakness: internal factor, characteristic that is known to need development. Something that the
organisation/person knows that they do not do very well and/or should improve on.

Opportunity: external factor, potential positive impact

Threat: external factor, potential negative impact
 SWOT as a reflective practice
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 What would you consider as your strengths; skills and traits that you know that you are
good at?

 What would you consider as your weaknesses; skills and traits that you know you should
improve on in order for you to be more successful?

 What would you consider as your opportunities; aspects about your environment,
circumstances and stakeholders that could aid your development and success?

 What would you consider as your threats; aspects about your environment, circumstances
and stakeholders that could hinder your development and chances for success?
14 Activity
 Conduct a SWOT Analysis of yourself.

 Consider your strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats in relation to

completing this course

 What would you do to

 Enhance your strengths
 Develop your weaknesses
 Maximise opportunities
 Address and minimise the effect of any threats
 Action Plan
15  Reflect on your SWOT

 What could you do to enhance strengths and maximise opportunities?

 What could you do to develop weaknesses and minimise threats?

 What realistic timeframes could you give yourself to achieve the above?

 What resources could support you in achieving the above?

 What contingency plans could you put in place?

 How would you measure successful outcomes and note development?