Learning from experience is as much about our construction of what has happened, as it is about our engagement in it. Thinking back on experiences, and carefully re-evaluating them, is an essential part of personal and professional development. Importantly, reflective practice goes beyond simply ‘recalling the events of the day’. It involves the conscious examination of experience and requires a concerted attempt to ‘make professional sense’ of what has been learned.
A good way to reflect on experience is to use a framework that prompts deep and purposeful thinking about what happened. The 5Rs of the reflection (Bain et al 2002) is one such framework. The five elements of this framework are Reporting, Responding, Reasoning, Relating and Reconstructing. View examples of questions to ask yourself based on the 5Rs. When used effectively, reflection can facilitate significant personal and/or professional growth.
Reporting |
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Responding |
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Relating |
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Reasoning |
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Reconstructing |
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Watch this short video about a reflective interaction between a nursing student and workplace supervisor . While watching the video, think about the 5Rs and what, if anything, you would do differently in this situation?
Reflection is a powerful tool that, when used effectively, can facilitate significant personal and/or professional growth.