Reflection On and In the Workplace for Students

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Reflection?
3. Types of Reflection
4. Definitions of Reflection
5. Becoming a Reflective Practitioner/Worker
6. Kolb's Learning Cycle
7. Time for Reflection
8. Keeping a Reflective Diary
9. What is the Purpose of Reflection?
10. Where do you Put the Reflections in Your Portfolio?
11. What Makes Good Evidence?
12. Learning from Significant Events
13. Tools for Reflection
14. Individual Reflection
15. 2: Roles For Reviewing In Pairs
16. Reviewing for Two: Walking And Talking
17. Reviewing for Two: Changing Partners
18. Summary
19. References

What is the Purpose of Reflection?

Dewey (1933) stated "reflection thus implies that something is believed in (or disbelieved in), not on its own direct account, but through something else which stands as witness, evidence, proof, voucher, warrant; that is, as ground of belief." (p.11). For Dewey, reflective thinking consisted of two parts: a state of doubt and a search to resolve that doubt. Thus, constructing a portfolio is an act of revealing one's beliefs. Schon (1987) considered a utility for reflective thinking in that cognitive practice has a direct relationship to practices within professional realms (teaching). Davis et al. (1997) extend this idea in that the process of education mirrors the design process with reflective thinking being central to both. At the heart of portfolio development is purposeful choice making. The portfolio development process is organic.

Your portfolio can be entered into again and again with new reflections that can provide new insights.