Basic Reflective Theories
The construction of a strategy of reflection in the course of training is based on the analysis of experience. The subject takes apart the results of various tasks into small components, makes cause-and-effect connections between them, and forms a certain series of judgments and evaluations. The latter becomes a part of reflection, which acts as one of the main means of increasing productivity. In science, there is a considerable quantity of established theories within the limits of the given question. On a basic level, it is necessary to consider Gibbs’ reflexive cycle, Hutton and Smith’s scheme, and Kolb’s cycle.
The Gibbs reflexive cycle is a scheme of six interrelated stages closing in on itself. The beginning of reflection, according to this theory, is a description of what happened. The next step is to determine the basic feelings associated with what happened (Kurtz, 2019). The third step implies an evaluation of feelings from the position of negativity or positivity. Subsequently, the subject tries to analyze the connection between emotions and the content of the situation (Jasper, 2019). The fifth step is to formulate a conclusion about actions that could have been taken in the given situation but was ignored for various reasons. Finally, an action plan is formulated based on the answers to the questions of the previous steps.
The theory of Hotan and Smith describes reflections in learning as a spectrum consisting of four levels. The initial one, as in the case of the previous theory, is the description stage, which involves a factual enumeration of all events without evaluation. At the second step, there is a formation of the judgment about the situation, after which there comes a dialogical reflection in which the subject asks questions about what could be done. In the last step, a specific algorithm is assembled that should lead to more effective action in a similar context.
The scientist Kolb, who proposed his theory in his 1908 book, based his theory on the notion of experiment and experience. The reflexive process within the framework of this scholarly work is a cycle based on a particular lived situation. In the next stage, all moments of the situation are viewed from the position of the observer (Jasper, 2019). Then the subject asks what lesson can be learned from this experience and proceeds to the final stage. Within the framework of the latter, new ideas formulated as a result of the conceptualization in the previous stage are planned and practiced.
Behavioral Competencies
Among professionally competent behavioral markers, the most important are decisive thinking, personal credibility, and courage to challenge. The first type involves the ability to form a plan of action and make decisions based on often analyzed information. Professionals with this type of mindset show themselves to be effective analysts and are particularly in demand in crisis situations. Personally credible specialist tends to build their activities on the basis of the skills of working with personnel and knowledge of the basics of commerce. Such a person is a good psychologist and has high emotional intelligence, which helps to effectively delegate tasks of varying complexity. People belonging to the third category are most evident in unpredictable circumstances where a unit of time has to solve a large number of non-standard tasks. Stability is often a negative factor in the activity of such professionals (Jasper, 2019). The main value is the result of the way in which it was the least energy-consuming.
Personal Reflection
My learning process is based on the tactics of the thinker, which best suits my temperament. The most important value of building activities is to assess the initial data and calculate all possible risks. Thanks to this tactic, I calculate the time necessary to master a task, and also the risks of entering into group activities when it is optional. The key skills that will allow me to implement this strategy are pragmatism, critical thinking, and discipline.
I understand that this strategy can be unsustainable in an unstable economy and other areas of society. In order to become a professional, I need to learn how to work in different conditions, including those where there is no possibility of obtaining and analyzing raw data. In order to train myself to face challenges, I need to reflect on the situation in which I had to make faster, non-standard decisions without analysis. Relying on the Gibbs cycle, I will describe all the components of this situation, allotting one day to this. Then within a week, I will formulate a clear plan of how to act in that situation in the most effective way. In this plan I will mark the points that at the moment I do not have the knowledge or resources to implement. Then I answer the question of what steps need to be taken to master the necessary knowledge and enroll in the appropriate courses. After the deadline specified in the algorithm, I will check my progress on the basis of the simulated control situation and conduct a second reflection.
Reference List
Jasper, M. (2019). Beginning reflective practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
Kurtz, A. (2019). How to run reflective practice groups. London: Routledge.