Critique of Reflective Theory & Reflective Analysis
Table of Contents
Understanding of the three themes from “The Reflective Journal”. 3
Reflective analysis of own learning and application to profession. 4
Understanding of the three themes from “The Reflective Journal”
Theme 3- Learning from experience
Experience is one of the essential ways of learning as it is an ongoing process and helps the learners understand a situation clearly. Experiences tend to shape the ideas of a learner (Bassot, 2016). The significance of the four stages of experiential learning has been understood, as well. For instance, Kolb’s learning cycle can be considered here. Kolb mentioned four types of experiences that shape an individual’s learning process. Concrete experience refers to experiencing a new situation. Reflective observation refers to observing own experience and thereafter understanding the experience. Similarly, abstract conceptualisation helps learners to give rise to a new concept or idea, and it truly indicates that the person has learned something from experience. Lastly, active experimentation means the application of the ideas in a real-world situation. Similarly, a deeper understanding of the ERA model has been developed. Learning mainly occurs in three stages, and these are experience, reflection and action. As soon as an individual experiences something, he or she is likely to have thoughts and opinions. The person will examine his or her feelings and thereafter take action based upon the understanding.
Theme 5- Learning from feedback
It has been comprehended that feedbacks contribute positively to the process of education. The learners are likely to maximise their potential once their level of awareness has improved. Feedbacks help learners to identify strengths and weaknesses effectively. The Johari Window model is an effective feedback model that helps people gains an understanding of themselves. In corporate settings, the model can be used as a feedback tool. People can literally express themselves openly, and they can enhance their awareness about themselves. Similarly, the significance of the feedforward system has been understood by exploring this theme. It mainly entails that individuals must take measurable and corrective actions so that they do not interrupt any process.
Theme 8- Ethics and values
This theme mainly outlines the significance of right thinking and right action in any given setting. Although ethics and values are terms used together, there is a slight difference between the two. Ethics mainly refers to the set of moral practices and distinguishes a right action from a wrong action. Similarly, values tend to influence individuals because it considers ideals and principles that are necessary for reaching a final conclusion. Values such as honesty, respect, compassion and empathy play a vital role in influencing a person’s decision-making. It has been clearly understood that in professional life, values tend to determine our success and failure. Based on our values, we tend to determine the level of success that we deserve. In other words, values act as guides, and everyday decisions can be made based upon a set of values. Further, it has been noted that the power problem exists in an organisation, and some individuals tend to take advantage of the power vested upon them. On the other hand, when a group of people have too little power in their hands, they are likely to be dominated by the powerful ones.
Reflective analysis of own learning and application to the profession
Learning from experience
In modern-day workplaces, employers expect candidates to have enough work-related experience so that the candidate can easily fit into the workplace (Yip and Wilson, 2010). In order to get a good job, competence is necessary, and employers are also likely to prefer candidates who do not require any additional training. Hence, as a fresh graduate, I have the scope to get hired if I can convince the employer about my capabilities and experience. In a competitive environment, expectations of employers from potential candidates are high. Therefore, preference would be given to those who have learned a skill by applying it over and over again. I have been exposed to project-based learning and during classes; I personally preferred hands-on-experience. It also allowed me to make complex subjects simpler, and I was capable of comprehending the subject matter. Through experiential learning, I had the scope of engaging in high-level research and therefore, I have been exposed to many aspects of learning. As a student, I realised the significance of group work while making group projects. Earlier, I thought that group work means task accomplishment only. However, my perceptions have changed dramatically as I learned that group work is an opportunity to engage with others and learn from each other. Working life is never stable, and a lot of factors need to be managed. First of all, time management is necessary and thereafter, one needs to learn to work independently. Facing challenges and conflict in the workplace is common as well. Hence, these areas have been considered as vital parts of reflective practice.
Learning from feedback
In any professional setting, employers will provide constructive feedback so that employees can learn, grow and thrive in the workplace (Leiter and Bakker, 2010). As a student, when I received feedback from professors and classmates, I realised my areas of improvement. They have pointed out the weaknesses and strengths and the kind of actions that might affect others. I have been able to increase self-awareness and feedbacks also allowed me to ensure my professional development. Both positive and negative feedbacks worked for me and I have learned to take both types of feedback sportingly. I have received constructive feedback regarding ways I approach a task. I was asked to revisit my approach so that I can make necessary improvements. I have also received specific feedback that allowed me to understand the right kind of action in any given situation. Generalised evaluations were avoided, and it allowed me to understand the significance of consistent and clear actions. In the workplace, I would try to give constructive feedbacks to my juniors, and I would also expect constructive and specific feedbacks from my seniors. It will ensure the flow of our work. It is necessary to keep personal feelings aside and not allow emotions or judgements to overpower our decision-making capabilities. Frequency is also necessary. Providing feedback during annual appraisals should not be the norm in the workplace. Frequent feedbacks should be given so that an employee does not make same error unknowingly.
Ethics and values
I have been exposed to an understanding of values and ethics and its significance in an organisation. This theme has the potential to define behaviour. In my professional setting, I am bound to come across clients and consumers who might be dissatisfied with the services or products offered by our organisation. In that case, tackling their behaviour can be challenging for me. However, with right set of values and ethical thinking, I would be able to tackle the unpredictable situation. Dealing with fairness and honesty would be the only way of resolving conflict. Unethical practices such as discrimination and fraud should be avoided at all costs because these might seem useful in short term, however, in the long run, the company’s reputation might be at stake (Amico, 2017). Every organisation has a moral code of conduct and businesses can operate only when expectations of an organisation from its employees has been clearly defined. I would like to focus on being a caring, reliable, honest and accountable employee so that reaching the organisational vision, mission and objective becomes a reality. The internal practices of a business are influenced by the degree of cooperation between co-workers (Chandrasekar, 2011). Therefore, I would try to work collaboratively and avoid generating negative feelings in the workplace. Working as a team to reach a common goal will be a possibility for all of us. Nowadays, every organisation has a set of appropriate behaviour and practices. These norms forbid employees to behave appropriately. I would apply these standards to avoid potential problems.
Reference List
Amico, S., 2017. Workplace Values and Ethics”. Hearst Newspaper, LLC.
Bassot, B., 2016. The reflective journal. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Chandrasekar, K., 2011. Workplace environment and its impact on organisational performance in public sector organisations. International journal of enterprise computing and business systems, 1(1), pp.1-19.
Leiter, M.P. and Bakker, A.B., 2010. Work engagement: introduction. Work engagement: A handbook of essential theory and research, pp.1-9.
Yip, J. and Wilson, M.S., 2010. Learning from experience. The Center for Creative Leadership handbook of leadership development, 3.