Reflective Writing

Description

Packed with practical advice, this concise guide explains what reflective writing is and how to approach it. It equips students with all the key information and strategies they need to develop an appropriate reflective writing style, whatever their subject area. Annotated examples from a range of disciplines and contexts show students how to put these tips into practice. It concludes with a section on applying reflective practices to personal development and career planning.  This handy guide is an indispensable resource for students of all disciplines and levels, who are required to develop and demonstrate reflective qualities in their work. It will be particularly useful to students writing reflective logs on placements.   Acknowledgements Introduction About this book Part1 UNDERSTANDINGREFLECTIVE WRITING 1 About reflection Why reflect? Reflection for life Starting out on reflection 2 Getting started on reflective writing ‘Reflection’ means different things in different disciplines Reflective writing tasks are different too The task: how is it described? What guidance have you been given? 3 Reflective and critical writing The stairway to critical thinking Writing focus: what does reflective writing look like? 4 Asking strategic questions What exactly do you have to DO? The task defined Getting it done: an action plan Part 2 LANGUAGE INREFLECTIVE WRITING 5 Reflecting on yourself and your experiences Something happens … What happened? Reflecting on how you learn 6 Where am ‘I’ in reflective writing? Strategy 1: Four ways of writing about yourself Strategy 2: Choosing the right verb form Describing what: explaining your purpose (1) Describing when: reflection and time (2) Strategy 3: Mind your language! Strategy 4: Three ways of being a writer Part3 FORMS AND CONTEXTS FOR REFLECTIVE WRITING 7 A reflective diary or learning journal Learning journals in creative and technical subjects Design, construct, test … to destruction And finally … Learning journals in professional courses Learning journals in education Learning journals in Health and Social Care A junior nurse’s reflective diary entry A medical student reflects 8 Learning journals and assessment Assessing creative work How far does the work fulfil the assignment brief and goals? Being assessed: a work placement learning journal Learning journals and assessment: take-away points 9 Portfolios Let your portfolio do the talking! A work placement portfolio A reflective writer will avoid absolute judgements. What’s the difference here? Look at the tutor’s reactions: 10 Reflection in the research process Reflection in a research diary Reflection in experimental work From notebook to report Reflection in computer modelling Part 4 REFLECTION IN READING ANDWRITING 11 Writing a critical review or annotated bibliography 12 Linking theory and practice Applying what you’ve learnt Version 1: Experience first, then the link to reading Version 2: Key point from reading first, then the link to experience ( p56 ) 13 That ‘reflective’ quality in writing Where are ‘you’ in your writing? Writing focus: Is it OK to write I think or I believe? Evidence? What evidence? 14 Getting the balance right How sure are you? Part 5 USING FRAMEWORKS IN REFLECTIVE WRITING 15 Choosing a framework Framework 1: Framework for reflective practice (Rolfe et al. 2001) Framework 2: Reflection before, during and after action (Schön 1983) Framework 3: The learning cycle (Honey and Mumford 1986) 16 Using a framework for reflection : Gibbs’ reflective cycle The reflective cycle 1 The experience: a student nurse at work 2 The model: analysis using Gibbs’ reflective cycle 3 The reflective report Part 6 REFLECTION FOR LIFE 17 Doing the groundwork Why do this? Why do this? Why do this? 18 Finding your evidence Meeting the ‘person specification’ (or ‘requirements’) Writing focus: the right kind of evidence? Workshop 4: Think of a time when you … Showing your evidence 19 Reflection as a practitioner Reflection in healthcare Continuing professional development (CPD): reflective accounts Reflection in professional development (education) Reflection in performance reviews Conclusion: the habit of reflection References Useful sources Index