Learning Outcomes
List reasons for using a model of reflection
Recognise and apply one model of reflection
What are models?
Models are everywhere – although we often don’t recognise them as models. Put simply they are simplified versions of reality designed to help us better understand complexity.
In terms of reflection – models give us a structure and prompts to help us through the process of reflecting. It might be helpful to think of them as a recipe. If you have never baked a cake before, it’s worth following a recipe to guide you through. There are different recipes you can try which will give you different results – but they tend to follow the same basic structure. When you get really good at baking you can often do it without a recipe, as you have learned, or internalised the recipe.
Read through this page, and do some more reading of one of the text books you found last week – write down some thoughts about the use of models of reflection.
This week we would like you to read about and try using a model of reflection. We are going to start off with Johns’ model. Read about this model and find yourself a list of the prompt questions.
Your reflections
(MSc OT students – go here for your task this week – password protected).
Using the Johns model, reflect on an occasion this week when you have been working with other people. This model should help you to think about your decision making. What was going on internally and externally to you that influenced you?
Some people find the terms (such as aesthetics) that Johns uses off-putting. What do you think?
Make sure you write down your thoughts and responses. Even if it feels odd and repetitive, stick with it. You are in the middle of learning (or relearning) about reflective practice, and learning is not a simple process.
Reflective writing is most helpful to development when we are honest and open about our thoughts, emotions and reactions. If we can acknowledge them it can help us to understand our underlying assumptions, beliefs and biases and how they might be affecting us. Of course there will be thoughts and reactions you have that you don’t want to share. But please have a go at exploring some of your reactions and thoughts about others.