BAPP Task 2c Reflective Theory

The task 2c of the Module 1 of the BA (Hons) in Professional Practice at the Middlesex University consists of after reading the Course Reader 2, we need to write a critical reflection on Reflective Practice exploring, questioning an if possible applying the theories of Dewey, Schön, Kolb and Moon.

Reflection is the process from learning from experience; it is a process of turning information into knowledge. In this course, experience is essential because it supposes that the experience of doing something has and will give you knowledge. Before, I started with the task and reading the Reader 2, I knew how important is reflection and the process of it for our lives, and for many years I have been doing it with my family and friends, however after reading Reader 2, I realised that it is essential for our lives, in my opinion I think like Dewey that the process of reflection, education and learning is they key, we are always in these processes since we are children and we start to develop this skills, and after that we continue for the rest of our lives: “Life itself is a process of learning”.

There have been many thinkers that have looked, studied and deeply thought about Reflective Practice, some of the most relevant are Dewey, Schön, Kolb and Moon, and however there have been many others such as McFee, Gardner or Kottcamp. Below you are going to see the theories of the most relevant of those thinkers. But first have a look at the quote (Photo below) of our first thinker that we are going to explore, John Dewey, I find it fascinating and truly inspirational, not only for thinkers, but for every person to be inspired to enjoy and get the maximum of your life.

http://www.relatably.com/q/john-dewey-quotes

Theories of John Dewey

Our first thinker is the American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, John Dewey. For him there were different levels of experience, as the thought that education as n experiential action as we can see from the quotes above and below. He defined education as a "continual reorganization, reconstruction and transformation of experience" (Dewey, 1916). Also the interaction with the Arts was a unique and valuable experience. He introduced us the term “Reflective thought” to refer about the awareness of having an experience. For him this process was:

“Active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusions to which it tends” (Dewey, 1933)

https://pypatpwe.wordpress.com/

Theories of Donald Schön

Our next thinker is the American philosopher and professor, Donald Schön. He is best known for introducing the idea of reflection-in-action, and reflection-on- action through his two major works: The Reflective Practitioner: How professionals think in action (1983) and Educating the Reflective Practitioner (1987).  For him the term of reflective practice is defined as:

“Reflective practice is a dialogue of thinking and doing through which I become more skilful.”

(http://www.toolshero.com/toolsheroes/donald-schon/)

According to those two terms introduced by Donald Schön, Reflection-in-action is often related with artists because they respond to what is happening as it happens, it is and immediate answer, and Reflection-on-action is often related with academics because they respond to what is happening by going away to conceptualise it and look back at it, there is a reflective process behind those actions.

http://rajasreeweb.blogspot.com/2014/09/reflective-practice-modes-and-means.html

Theories of David Kolb

Our next thinker is the American educational theorist, David Kolb. His contribution to Reflective is essential because of this Learning cycle (As you can see in the photograph below). It was first introduced in his book Experiential Learning (1984).  Below you can see one of his most famous quotes about the learning process.

“Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping experience and transforming it.”

(http://www.toolshero.com/toolsheroes/david-kolb)

The Kolb´s learning cycle is used as on-going process with one point in the learning cycle leading to the next and so on. The point that you start to learn on it and find meaning is your entry point also, where you enter the cycle is sometimes called your learning style. Kolb’s learning cycle is an essential tool for Reflection on how you learn and a fantastic tool to approach experience.

http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/kolbcycle.htm

Jennifer Moon Theories

And our final thinker is Jennifer Moon, she is best known for her contribution to journal writing through her major work Learning Journals (2006), that you can see a photo of the cover below. Journal writing has been used a lot for many different kinds of adult education. Particularly I found this process very enriching for me, it has helped me to understand my thinking process and how to improve it, as you can see in the previous tasks of Part 2.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Journals-Jennifer-Moon/dp/0415403758

After studying and discovering those fascinating thinkers, as well as all that is related with the Reflective Practice, I feel very inspired to continue to study and learn more about after this BAPP has finished and surely I will apply those ideas to my everyday life from now on, and I highly recommend to everyone to do the same, it is a really enriching process

Gonzalo

Bibliography

- Middlesex University (2012) BAPP (Arts) Reader 2, Institute of Work Based Learning, London: Middlesex University

- Van Vliet, V, 2013, . David Kolb, ToolsHero. (Online). Available from: http://www.toolshero.com/toolsheroes/david-kolb (accessed 04.11.16)

- Van Vliet, V, 2012), Donald Schon (Schön), ToolsHero, (Online).  Available from: http://www.toolshero.com/toolsheroes/donald-schon/ (accessed 04.11.16)

- Kolb, D.A. (1984) Experiential Learning: Experience as the source of learning and development.  Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall