Activity 2

Read through your responses to the Reflection on Learning activity completed in the Introduction to Reflective Practice Module (Activity 1).

Some time would have elapsed between when you completed that activity and began this topic.  As time is one of the key features for critical reflection to occur, you are now ready to revisit your initial reflections from the learning activity.

The first activity from the Introduction to Reflective Practice module related to how you were doing in your program of study. Take a few minutes now to consider your initial reflections and what you have since learnt about your own assumptions or ‘way of seeing the world’. For example, have you:

• recognised assumptions that you made about people or situations, such as making assumptions about a person based on rumour rather than judging for yourself
• questioned and challenged familiar situations by incorporating recent research in your profession
• listened to the views of others to test out whether they share your perception of an event or situation
• taken a wider view so you can see events from a long-term perspective and identify patterns and assumptions you hold (Adapted from Moon 2004).

Revisit your own perspective now that some time has passed

Consider both your reflection and intended actions recorded from Activity 1 in the introductory module and re-consider your responses.  Draw on the perspectives of other sources of information available to you, for instance, the Learning Styles and strategies (outlined by Felder and Solomon) and ask yourself:

• Why did I respond as I did?

• What do I think and feel now about my progress?  Why?

• Is there a pattern to my responses to study? What is this pattern?

• What insights have I gained from the different views?

• What am I going to do now? Why?

• What has ‘stepping back’ and then revisiting my initial reflections taught me about my own ways of seeing the world?

• How does revisiting my early writing inform my actions?

• How have your assumptions and perspectives changed as a consequence of reviewing your initial reflections of this experience?  Why?

Next: Reflection and ethical action