Iterative & Vertical Dimensions of Reflection

Within self-reflection, theorists have noted that reflection can operate in both an iterative and vertical dimension.

Iterative refers to reflection triggered by experience (Mann, Gordon & McLeod, 2009) and tends to follow the processes familiar in most models of reflective practice i.e. the recognition that an experience has elicited certain feelings of comfort/discomfort that need to be acted upon through the formation of abstract concepts of change which, in turn are put into practice and evaluated (see previous blog for an overview and useful links to iterative models).

Vertical refers to the depth of reflection from surface to deep, theoretical analysis (Mann, Gordon & McLeod, 2009) and can be summarised in the five levels of reflective practice noted by Zeichner and Liston (1996, in Finlay, 2007, p.4):

1. Rapid reflection - immediate, ongoing and automatic action by the teacher.
2. Repair –thoughtful decisions to alter their behaviour in response to students’ cues.
3. Review – thinking, discussing, writing about some element of their teaching.
4. Research –systematic and sustained thinking over time, informed by research.
5. Retheorizing and reformulating –critically examining personal practice in the light of academic theories.

Combining the two we get increasing depth of iterative cycles within the vertical layers of reflection.

Figure 1 illustrates the MindLab Evaluate your reflective practice - July 17 Survey (n=148) results.  This indicates that most teachers tend to operate at the rapid reflection, repair and review stages.  Deeper levels of reflection tend to take place less frequently and this may well be a product of being time poor and/or dealing with increasingly complex situations.

Figure 1

References:


Finlay, L. (2008). Reflecting on “Reflective practice.” Retrieved from

Mann, K., Gordon, J., & MacLeod, A. (2009). Reflection and reflective practice in health 
professions education: A systematic review. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 14(4), 

MindLab (2017).  Evaluate your Reflective Practice – July 2017.  Available from: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSee9-DSqP0CG293TIgL5lq7H3c2Nbh5QyBrejnfWg1M0FAGsA/viewanalytics

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