Tools for critical reflection

Martin LocockJune 2012

mlocock

 Objectives

•Understand how we use our time

•Understand critical thinking and critical reflection

•Apply a range of techniques to enhance reflection 

 

Exercise 1: time allocation How much of your time is spent: •preparing for activity (plan) •doing activity (do)•reviewing activity (reflect)

•Compare with partner

Planning10%

Activity80%

Review10%

Planning35%

Activity60%

Review5%

Planning25%

Activity60%

Review15%

Type ALiving in the presentHurry sickness?

Type BPlanning/doing

Type CPlan/Do/Reflect

Reviewing your time use• How much time spent doing is wasted?• How much time spent planning is

wasted?• How much time spent reflecting is

wasted?

• Stephen Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: sharpening the saw

Reflection• Should you spend more time

reflecting?• Why can’t you spend enough

time on it now?

Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory

David Allen Getting Things Done

Photo: Sham Shaikh

Reasons not to reflect• Feels selfish?• Unproductive?• Can’t find time?• Risky?

• Whose permission do you need to change your time use?

Critical thinking and critical reflectionCritical thinking“active interpretation and evaluation of observations” awareness of one’s own thoughts and behaviour [‘meta awareness’]Present focus

Critical reflectionpurposeful thought about experience to understand and learn for the futurePast / future focus

Critical thinking and reflectionSelf awareness - the internal narrativeBecoming self-aware in real timeCritical reflection -

what did I learn? what did I do well?what should I do next?

Building a routine•Needs to work for you•Time, place, environment, materials•Regular / default behaviour - new habit•Make a commitment•Value success

Stefan Sagmeister

The Museum of Lost Ideas

Photo: Jon Hanson

Daily reflection• First 5 minutes• Waiting for computer to start• Things you plan to do today

• Last 5 minutes• Things you plan to do tomorrow• Things you did today - reflection

Keeping a notebook• A working tool not a work of art• Be honest• Be reflective and analytical• Date your entries and review them• Can be questions• Can be action points

An effective diary•Day 1: three things I’m grateful for•Day 2: a great memory•Day 3: a future plan•Day 4: letter to someone•Day 5: review where you are

From Richard Wiseman 59 Seconds

Stefan Sagmeister

Critical friendsWhat is a critical friend?Someone who will assist your personal development over the medium termProvides: trust, support, honesty, time = friendAnd: challenge, measure progress = critical Not: information, advice, negative comments

Who makes a good critical friend?Not your bossNot your best friendWho?

Exercise 2: free writing :  A current problemFree writing is a technique that allows you to follow a line of thought without self-editing and will often end by exposing an insight of which you were not consciously aware. •Select an issue (a current problem you are facing)•Start writing what you think or feel about it •Don’t worry about structure, spelling or layout•Keep the pen moving across the page •Don’t go back to correct or erase•Defined timeFeedback?

Critical reflection toolbox•Routine•Notebook•Diary•Critical friend•Free writing

Conclusion•Time•Self-awareness•Reflection

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