REFLECTIVE PRACTICE

Personal Development through Reflective Practice





Personal Development through Reflective Practice: “The Significant Events In My Life”

Introduction

Reflective practice as a process of learning conceptual argument plays here a role of a catalyst in developing my competencies, motivation to learning, autonomy and critical thinking (Elliott, 2002, pp.512). Critical thinking is an important aspect in the growth of an individual, and it helps to understand both sides of the story if the individual really analyses a situation. For example, when I am faced with a challenge and I think about it critically, I will be motivated to learn and take on the challenge. Reflective practice makes a person think critically, and enables me to assess different aspects of the actions or events taking place in my life.

Learning Cycle

Using the four phases of learning cycle of Kolb and Gibbs model of reflective learning, i have been able to engage in the reflective practice through exploring my life happenings, situations and circumstances which I have encountered in the past. The reason for choosing GIBBS model (1998) is because it is a reflection model which is structured on six different stages. This helps in describing the incident thoroughly and its development and after effects. For me this model travels around six phases, which provides a reflection process. The six points include a description of the incident, personal feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and finally action plan.

Gibbs model of reflection uses a reflection on-action approach as the critical incident to be reflected on must be chosen. Gibbs model allows me to think about encountering the same situation again and to plan what one would do the next time. Gibbs model is chosen for this assignment as it allows anticipated action thereafter once the cycle stops. By going through the stages of analysis and conclusion, this allows me to learn from the experiences one has made. Reflective practice can take place in-action or on-action. Reflection in-action occurs when we are thinking simultaneously as practice occurs. Meanwhile, reflection on-action occurs as retrospective thinking about an experience (Lynch 2000, pp. 26).

On the other hand, the learning cycle of Kolb teaches me that the complex learning is not limited to the acquisition of techniques and models; I have to learn to develop my own situation models to handle ambiguities, uncertainties and changes encountered. This learning takes place in a cycle alternating action and reflection (Kolb's cycle). The Kolb learning cycle is the theoretical basis of interactive methods of training. It can be applied not only to individuals but also to learning teams and organizations. The cycle refers to the process by which individuals, teams and organizations realize and understand their experiences and modify their behaviour.

According to Kolb, I develop on these continua according to his apprehension but also according to his preferences to process or collect information. Kolb believes it is better to learn in a cycle provided an experience of four modes of learning to understand a subject. Kolb has given names to different types of learners, ...