What is this thing called "reflection"? How does one go about "reflecting"?
Reflection is the art of temporarily stepping back (detaching oneself) from a situation in order to think clearly about it, assign interpretation and meaning to the situation, and draw out deeper learning. The goal is to become more aware of one's own thinking and reasoning.
Reflection is a natural part of any learning. Whether we think about it or not, things happen all around us, and will simply continue to happen. However, if we think about them --- reflect on them, learn from them --- we might see patterns in the events around us that help us better understand what is going on. Without reflection, we remain hapless victims (or, if we are lucky, hapless beneficiaries) of events. With reflection, we can begin to modify our actions and expectations and, potentially, have a more constructive effect on future events. While it could be argued that reflection is what everyone does naturally every minute of the day, what we are talking about here is a conscious and purposeful effort that builds capacity for more effective action on the part of the person doing the reflecting.
The basic action of reflection is to ask questions such as:
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What do I think is going on here?
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What did I intend to happen? What did happen?
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How is what I am observing connected with deeper theories about how things work?
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Here is my view and how I arrived at it; how do others see it?
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What assumptions am I making?
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What pressures seem to be at play in the system?
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What role am I playing?
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What am I thinking and feeling?
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What leads me to think and feel the way I do?
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What am I going to do with my insight?
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We can speak of at least three different types of reflection:
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Hindsight reflection involves looking back on events, possibly reinterpreting them, and drawing out lessons learned.
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Foresight reflection involves imaginatively playing out events into the future for the purpose of understanding more about what to do in the present and what signals to monitor for direction.
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Insight reflection is the most subtle skill in that it involves simultaneously being both in a present situation and detached from that situation; simultaneously participating in a situation, interpreting the situation, adjusting the situation, and learning from the situation.
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The above is adapted from Edgeware by B. Zimmerman, C. Lindberg, and P. Plsek
Another way to view reflection is to regard it as mental process (of internal dialogue) that allows us to challenge, reinterpret, rethink, and reconstruct our assumptions, beliefs, and values. When we reflect, we critically examine our actions and belief systems by asking questions of ourselves.
You may reflect on something you read that had special meaning, on something that happened in class, or to something that happened at work. In general, don't recite stories about what's going on at work (a reflection is not like a diary) unless you need to provide background for a reflection. Write about what is happening inside of you. Focus on introspection rather than a description of external events (i.e., what you believe you learned from the experience). What are you curious about? Wondering about? Puzzled about? (Whatever you share will be held in confidence.)
The secret to learning is to observe yourself. Observe and think about the motives, intentions, feelings, judgments, and assumptions that drive your responses to the world around you. Get in touch with your internal experience. Just write what comes to mind. Write for yourself as a way to grow and develop both personally and professionally. Write your reflections in a format of writing to yourself.
Bottom line: Reflection is learning to look at yourself at the same time you are being yourself. Step outside your body and observe yourself, as though you are watching a movie. What do you think about what you just saw the person do? What do you feel? What is your reaction? Another metaphor is that life is like a dance. Occasionally run to the balcony to watch the dance. What do you see going on? Anything you would change? Reflect, then run down the stairs and get back in the dance.
Journal writing (reflecting) is what people did years ago at the end of a day's journey. At night around the campfire they took the time to reflect on what had happened that day and how they felt about it. You can do the same thing after a class or after some special experience at work. We are all on a learning journey. When we share our reflections, we are able to learn and appreciate what it's like to be inside the hearts and minds of adventurers.
(A positive attitude toward giving journal writing a chance to impact your life means everything. If you think you are right 99 percent of the time as you go about life, then "reflection" is nothing more than busywork.)
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