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PDF (PhD Thesis) - UWE Research Repository - University of the ...

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Clarke et al (1996) suggested reflection-in-action is a deliberate thinking<br />

process allowing practitioners to reshape, reformulate and make<br />

accessible <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge while practising. However, Clinton (1998)<br />

argued <strong>the</strong>re are aspects <strong>of</strong> practice which cannot be represented in one‘s<br />

consciousness so he saw reflection-in-action as an immediate awareness<br />

<strong>of</strong> actions. He saw reflection-in-action as a misnomer and questioned<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r it was possible to achieve at all. For Rolfe (2001) reflection-in-<br />

action is more than just thinking about a problem; it is a form <strong>of</strong> on <strong>the</strong> spot<br />

experimenting which brings toge<strong>the</strong>r thinking and doing (praxis) and<br />

implies an imaginative process.<br />

According to <strong>the</strong> Oxford English Dictionary (OED, 2006 p.1208) reflection<br />

is: ―to throw back, reconsideration, go back in thought, mediate or consult<br />

with oneself‖. This is ra<strong>the</strong>r a simplistic view for pr<strong>of</strong>essional practice as it<br />

gives little advice on how to reflect in a meaningful way. It implies only<br />

thinking about an experience and whilst this may be useful, it does not<br />

necessarily challenge or <strong>of</strong>fer any new actions for practice. Two definitions<br />

are given below to show <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> possible interpretations about what it<br />

means to reflect on one‘s pr<strong>of</strong>essional practice:<br />

―Reflective learning is <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> internally examining and<br />

exploring an issue <strong>of</strong> concern, triggered by an experience which<br />

creates and clarifies meaning in terms <strong>of</strong> self, and which results in a<br />

changed conceptual perspectives‖ (Boyd & Fales 1983, p 100)<br />

―A process <strong>of</strong> consciously examining what has occurred in terms <strong>of</strong><br />

thoughts, feelings and actions against underlying beliefs,<br />

assumptions and knowledge as well as against <strong>the</strong> backdrop (i.e.,<br />

<strong>the</strong> context or <strong>the</strong> stage) in which specific practice has occurred‖<br />

(Kim 1999, p 1209)<br />

Both <strong>the</strong>se definitions recognise reflection as a process for improving<br />

practice through increased self-understanding and inquiry into <strong>the</strong> context<br />

and structures that support practice. Kim‘s (1999) notion <strong>of</strong> ‗consciously<br />

examining‘ practice (and this includes examining <strong>the</strong> context in which care<br />

is delivered) <strong>of</strong>fers a depth missing from <strong>the</strong> earlier OED definition. Both<br />

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