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Challenges of critical reflection: nothing ventured, nothing gained

Challenges of critical reflection: nothing ventured, nothing gained
Challenges of critical reflection: nothing ventured, nothing gained
This paper arises from the experiences of the authors in providing critical reflection training to social workers and health professionals. It examines the cultural challenges involved in undertaking critical reflection, and how such challenges may contribute to learning. We examine the nature of some of these risks and what might be at stake, and how we as educators might manage these in the interests of better learning. First we discuss the concept of critical reflection and the particular approach we take. We then analyse the nature of some of the risks involved by examining the cultural challenges that are at stake. Lastly we posit some strategies to reduce risk and maximise learning.
We outline three major types of cultural assumptions which are challenged by critical reflection. These include assumptions regarding interpersonal communication and dialogue, professional helping and workplace cultures, and regarding knowledge, learning, research and the place of emotions. The implications of these challenges include: the appropriateness of critical reflection for all types of learners; the need for emotional preparation for the critical reflection process; the need to emphasise the professional learning purposes; the need to clarify the use of self-disclosure; and the need to set up an appropriate alternative cultural environment for the purpose of critical reflection.
critical reflection, critical incident, self disclosure, professional growth, social change, learning from practice, anti-reflective cultures, interpersonal cultures, professional helping cultures, knowledge and learning cultures
0261-5479
520-533
Fook, Jan
470c973d-0cf8-4f4a-ba03-6086bb800fb4
Askeland, Gurid Aga
3f2dfe45-49b6-46dc-aa80-1af804f51d90
Fook, Jan
470c973d-0cf8-4f4a-ba03-6086bb800fb4
Askeland, Gurid Aga
3f2dfe45-49b6-46dc-aa80-1af804f51d90

Fook, Jan and Askeland, Gurid Aga (2007) Challenges of critical reflection: nothing ventured, nothing gained. Social Work Education, 26 (5), 520-533. (doi:10.1080/02615470601118662).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This paper arises from the experiences of the authors in providing critical reflection training to social workers and health professionals. It examines the cultural challenges involved in undertaking critical reflection, and how such challenges may contribute to learning. We examine the nature of some of these risks and what might be at stake, and how we as educators might manage these in the interests of better learning. First we discuss the concept of critical reflection and the particular approach we take. We then analyse the nature of some of the risks involved by examining the cultural challenges that are at stake. Lastly we posit some strategies to reduce risk and maximise learning.
We outline three major types of cultural assumptions which are challenged by critical reflection. These include assumptions regarding interpersonal communication and dialogue, professional helping and workplace cultures, and regarding knowledge, learning, research and the place of emotions. The implications of these challenges include: the appropriateness of critical reflection for all types of learners; the need for emotional preparation for the critical reflection process; the need to emphasise the professional learning purposes; the need to clarify the use of self-disclosure; and the need to set up an appropriate alternative cultural environment for the purpose of critical reflection.

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More information

Published date: August 2007
Keywords: critical reflection, critical incident, self disclosure, professional growth, social change, learning from practice, anti-reflective cultures, interpersonal cultures, professional helping cultures, knowledge and learning cultures

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 51933
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/51933
ISSN: 0261-5479
PURE UUID: 83ee0b16-7001-492d-9051-b549ff4fa21f

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Date deposited: 05 Jun 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 10:19

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Contributors

Author: Jan Fook
Author: Gurid Aga Askeland

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