Unit I
Reflective writing and critical learning
(Reflective Learning)
By
Sadiq Ahmad
Nursing Lecturer
Objectives
By the end of this unit, the learners will be able to:
• Develop an understanding of the reflective learning
• Discuss the application of reflective learning
• Explain the process of journal writing
• Discuss critical thinking
Definition:
Reflection is an important human activity in which
people recapture their experience, think about it,
ponder over & evaluate it. It is this working with
experience that is important in learning’.
OR
”Reflection is an essential phase in the learning
process whereby people explore their experiences
in a conscious manner in order to acquire new
understandings and new behaviour patterns.”
Professor Peter Jarvis (1987)
Reflection: Informal & Formal
Informal Reflection
• Involves self- questioning
• Develops our awareness of our own assumptions
Formal Reflection
• Draws on research & theory
• Provides guidance & frameworks for practice.
What is reflective learning?
• Reflective learning is a learned process that requires time
and practice.
• It is an active process: involving thinking through the
issues yourself, asking questions and seeking out relevant
information to aid your understanding.
• Reflective learning works best when you think about what
you are doing before, during and after your learning
experience.
• Reflective learning is not only about recognizing your
something new, it is also to see reality in a new way.
• Reflection is an important skill to develop and requires you
to think about how you are personally relating to what is
happening in the learning environment.
Learning journal
• A learning journal is a collection of notes,
observations, thoughts and other relevant materials
built‐up over a period of time of study, learning
and/or working experience.
• Its purpose is to enhance your learning through the
process of writing and thinking about your learning
experiences.
• Your learning journal is personal to you and will
reflect your personality, preferences and
experiences.
Why use a learning journal?
• To provide a “live” picture of your growing understanding of
a subject experience.
• To demonstrate how your learning is developing.
• To keep a record of your thoughts and ideas throughout
your experiences.
• To help you identify your strengths, areas for improvement
and Preferences in learning.
• A learning journal helps you to be reflective about your
learning, this mean that your journal should not be a purely
descriptive account of what you did but an opportunity to
communicate your thinking process: how and why you did
what you did.
How to Structure your learning journal
Your learning journal may be:
• A learning log
• A fieldwork diary or personal development
planner.
• A journal could be a notebook, an electronic
document or sometimes recorded verbally on
tape.
• Choose a method that works best for you!
Process of Reflective Learning
What do I think about this
issue/topic/experience?
- Explore my understanding, perceptions and ideas
- Question my assumptions
- Identify anything confusing or difficult to understand
- What more do I need to know to help my understanding
Develop and refine my ideas Identify, locate and interpret
and beliefs relevant information and resources
How can I use this experience to improve my
learning, thinking and working?
e.g. What would I do differently next time?
What should you write about?
• What you think about issues discussed at the learning event?
• What you understand so far?
• What you find puzzling, difficult or contradictory?
• How can you reach a better understanding?
• What do you need to know more about, and how can you go
about finding out more?
• What resources have helped you to understand and/or been
interesting to use?
• How do you feel about the way you have approached the
subject/topic so far?
• What new knowledge, skills or understanding have you gained
during the process of writing your journal?
• Have you changed your opinions or values during
process/experience?
• How can you improve your learning, thinking and working in the
Layers of reflection - exercise
Simple example: layers of reflection
1. I woke up early for a walk this morning
Level 1: Descriptive
2. I woke up early for a walk this morning, which I don’t
usually do.
Level 2: Descriptive, some reflection
3. I woke up early for a walk this morning, which I don’t
usually do. It really woke me up!
Level 3: Descriptive, reflection and awareness/learning.
4. I woke up early for a walk this morning, which I don’t
usually do. It really woke me up! I think I will do that
every morning before work.
Level 4: Descriptive, reflection, learning and future action.
Reflective Practice
• Descriptive sentences
• Layered with your reflection using emotions
– your awareness of yourself in the action.
• Layered again with what you learned from
reflection and awareness
• Layered again with how and what you learned
through your reflection has changed your
– Future learning, thinking, behaviour, ideas
Critical Thinking
• Definition: A careful and goal-directed
thinking that is used to assess complicated
situations, identify actual and potential
problems, and make decisions about an action
plan.
Characteristics of Critical thinkers
• Aware of their strengths and capabilities
• Proactive
• Creative
• Open minded
• Humble
• Flexible
• See the situations from many perspectives
• Support views with evidence
• Apply the concept of “cause and effect”
• Distinguish between fact and fallacy
