Reflective learning is the practice of reflecting on experience to inform, improve and develop future experience. It helps us understand what we are doing and why we are doing it, it connects the thinking and the doing.
Reflection also helps us to:
- Build self-awareness and recognise how our emotional responses influence what we do.
- Look beneath the surface to explore perspectives, assumptions and values.
- Counteract institutionalised, rigid thinking and practice.
- Open up to creative and novel approaches.
- Critically analyse what we are doing and its impact.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement.
- Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, good practice and what works.