Engaging in reflective practice within the Professional Studies Program at the University of Southern Queensland has been a transformative and enlightening experience that has provided me with valuable insights into the power of reflective practice for professional growth and development. Through this journey, I have come to appreciate the immense benefits of reflective practice, particularly its application in the workplace to enhance organizational learning and foster work-based learning opportunities.
In today's rapidly evolving technological and knowledge-driven environments, the acquisition of knowledge and skills through learning-by-doing has become increasingly prevalent and efficient. As we navigate complex and dynamic work settings, it is crucial to continually adapt, learn, and evolve. Work-based learning offers individuals and organizations the chance to optimize limited time and training budgets while driving performance improvements.
Learning-by-doing, a philosophy that encourages learning from personal experiences, lies at the heart of reflective practice. It enables individuals to learn from their actions, reflect on their experiences, and extract valuable lessons that can inform future decisions and actions. Within fields such as nursing and education, professional reflection follows a four-step process: experiencing an event, reflecting on that experience, extracting valuable lessons from it, and implementing changes or conducting further experiments based on the insights gained. This simple yet powerful cycle, initially conceptualized by David Kolb in 1984, can be employed iteratively for continuous development and individual as well as organizational learning.
REFLECTION IS AN IMPORTANT HUMAN ACTIVITY IN WHICH PEOPLE RECAPTURE THEIR EXPERIENCE, THINK ABOUT IT, MULL OVER AND EVALUATE IT. IT IS THIS WORKING WITH EXPERIENCE THAT IS IMPORTANT IN LEARNING.
David Boud, Rosemary Keogh and David Walker.
As David Boud, Rosemary Keogh, and David Walker aptly expressed, "Reflection is an important human activity in which people recapture their experience, think about it, mull over and evaluate it. It is this working with experience that is important in learning." Reflective practice offers a structured approach to engage with our experiences, critically analyze our actions, and extract meaningful insights. By examining our past experiences, we can gain a deeper understanding of our own biases, strengths, and areas for improvement. It allows us to avoid repeating past mistakes and maximizes our learning opportunities by challenging and critically assessing our knowledge base.
David Epstein once said, "We learn who we are in practice, not in theory." This statement resonates deeply when it comes to reflective practice. It reminds us that theoretical knowledge alone is insufficient; it is in the application of knowledge and the reflection upon our experiences that true learning occurs. Reflective practice not only deepens our understanding but also promotes better interpersonal outcomes by enabling individuals to be more attuned and sensitive to the responses of others.
While there is no definitive recipe or singular solution for becoming more reflective, cultivating a reflective practice requires a commitment to self-awareness and a willingness to engage in introspection. It is about creating the right mindset, where reflection becomes an integral part of our professional practice. Reflective journaling, for instance, provides a dedicated space for introspection and recording thoughts, feelings, and observations. After-action reviews, on the other hand, allow us to systematically analyze our actions and identify areas for improvement. Keeping detailed field notes can also serve as a valuable reference point for future reflection and learning.
The work of Boud, Keogh, and Walker (1985) highlights the transformative potential of reflection, emphasizing how experience can be transformed into deep learning. Furthermore, McLeod's (2017) exploration of Kolb's learning styles and experiential learning cycle provides valuable insights into the theoretical underpinnings of learning-by-doing and the importance of reflection in the learning process. Additionally, in a thought-provoking episode of the Learning Leader Show, Hawk (2019) interviews David Epstein, who eloquently discusses why generalists will play a pivotal role in shaping the future. These sources serve as valuable resources for further exploration and understanding of reflective practice and its implications.
Incorporating reflective practice into my professional journey has been a catalyst for personal growth and development. It has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of my own biases, avoid repeating past mistakes, and foster a more empathetic and attuned approach to interpersonal interactions. Reflective practice is a powerful tool that empowers individuals to transform experiences into valuable learning opportunities. By embracing a reflective mindset and adopting various techniques such as reflective journaling, after-action reviews, and keeping field notes, professionals can unlock their full potential and continually evolve both personally and professionally. Through reflective practice, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and continuous improvement, enabling us to thrive in our professional endeavours and make a positive impact in the world.
Boud, D, Keogh, R, Walker D, 1985 (p19), Reflection: Turning Experience into Learning.