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Accounts 1-3 on the next page show different levels of reflection. They are based on a critical event that happened to a 22 year old in the workplace, after graduating. There are three accounts of the same event: giving a presentation at a team meeting. Each account is written with three different levels of reflection:
• Descriptive writing: a description of events. There is no discussion beyond description and there is no evidence of reflection.
• Descriptive reflection: there is a basic description of events as well as evidence of deeper consideration in relatively descriptive language. There is no real evidence of the notion of alternative viewpoints in use.
• Critical reflection: there is a ‘stepping back’ from the events, with an exploration of the role of self in events and actions. There is consideration of possible alternatives and where might I use my new knowledge and competencies?
The questions below are taken from Reflective writing – a guide for students (n.d).
• Are there alternative interpretations to consider?
• If you ‘step back’ from this issue, does it look different?
• How do you judge your ability to reflect on this matter?
• How do your feelings relate to any action?
• Was it good / bad – and what are the implications?
• What do you need to do?
• What other information do you need (ideas, knowledge, opinion etc)?
• Are there previous instances of this event, issue arising that will help you to think more/ differently about it?
Comments:
• This account is only descriptive writing. The author does not consider how previous experiences could have had an impact on preparing for the presentation.
• When writing about the presentation, the author does not talk through their feelings, for example why did they have nerves? How did they realise colleagues were waiting? How did this make them feel? There is also no consideration of different perspectives, such as whether colleagues thought the presenter came across as
• Descriptive writing: a description of events. There is no discussion beyond description and there is no evidence of reflection.
• Descriptive reflection: there is a basic description of events as well as evidence of deeper consideration in relatively descriptive language. There is no real evidence of the notion of alternative viewpoints in use.
• Critical reflection: there is a ‘stepping back’ from the events, with an exploration of the role of self in events and actions. There is consideration of possible alternatives and where might I use my new knowledge and competencies?
The questions below are taken from Reflective writing – a guide for students (n.d).
• Are there alternative interpretations to consider?
• If you ‘step back’ from this issue, does it look different?
• How do you judge your ability to reflect on this matter?
• How do your feelings relate to any action?
• Was it good / bad – and what are the implications?
• What do you need to do?
• What other information do you need (ideas, knowledge, opinion etc)?
• Are there previous instances of this event, issue arising that will help you to think more/ differently about it?
Comments:
• This account is only descriptive writing. The author does not consider how previous experiences could have had an impact on preparing for the presentation.
• When writing about the presentation, the author does not talk through their feelings, for example why did they have nerves? How did they realise colleagues were waiting? How did this make them feel? There is also no consideration of different perspectives, such as whether colleagues thought the presenter came across as