Critical Reflection
As I go back through the Module Handbook and the notes and annotations I have made, I would like to critically reflect on of one of the ideas/concepts I liked, to see why I liked it.
I found I liked Kottkamps view that "reflection-in-action" (Schön, 1987) is harder to achieve. Furthermore, I felt that I was better at engaging with "reflection-in-action" than I am at "reflection-on-action", and that I use this style of reflection regularly in my daily professional practice as a co-ordinator in a retail setting.
As I reflect, I feel I valued "reflection-in-action" over "reflection-on-action" as I value what I see to be the fast paced feel to "reflection-in-action", the ability I have to adapt quickly in changing circumstances day to day.
Perhaps I place more value on this because of my integration into "grind culture" or "hustle culture", like so many others. I believe that always being "on", makes me a better worker, or a more dedicated employee. If I am always adaptable, "on", and able to keep performing well in a constantly changing and fast paced environment from one challenge to the next, then I am a "hard worker", and I deserve status and respect for the way I work.
As I don't have a degree, and didn't continue with academic study after completing my A-Levels, I am sometimes insecure about what I view as my lack of higher education. I studied Professional Musical Theatre for three years and ended with a Level 6 Diploma. Many of my peers work in more "typical" jobs, and did more "typical" degrees at University. They studied teaching and nursing for example, and I instead am on a very different path, and one that I myself perhaps place less value on.
I work in retail, and while I enjoy my job and find it rewarding, I sometimes feel the need to justify why I don't have a job that society as a whole views as being "higher status", and I even sometimes am ashamed of my job and living situation. So perhaps I am seeking to place value on my work within my job, by believing I engage with "reflection-in-action". Furthermore, I like the idea that an academic, something I don't see myself as being, or see myself as being able to be, may struggle with this, and therefore may actually struggle doing my "lower status" job.
It may be that I like Kottkamps view because it boosts my ego to feel I could have skills, or be more capable, in ways an academic is not. It helps with my insecurity about my qualifications and my job to agree with this view, and believe in my own idea that I "reflect-in-action". It is quite possible that I am better at "reflection-on-action", but I firstly don't see myself as academic enough to be skilled in this, and I also have a want to be more skilled in what may be viewed as harder.
Hi Rosie,
ReplyDeleteLoved this blog post. I can relate to your view on Kottamp's view about 'Reflection-in-action' With this view in mind I find in every other aspect of my life I am reflecting-in-action. I work at a theme park in the entertainments department and I am always constantly reviewing and reflecting and changing what could be better for the kids and families experience in the moment.
I always seem to relate to 'reflection-in-action' more than 'reflection-on-action' yet due to the fact that in my life apart from this course I don't consider myself to be academic...
I find that I also feel ashamed when telling people my job as most of my peers are working for ''better'' companies or are on a higher pay rate than myself.
Loved reading your blogs, can't wait for your next post.
Portia
xoxo
It is interesting to compare the two approaches. I feel in dance we are trained to reflect-in-action i.e. making corrections and adjustments as we go, noticing errors in technique or performance and applying our previous knowledge in the moment. I actually feel reflection-on-action is more beneficial however. Steeping away from the situation and being able to look back and consider all the elements involved can give a much clearer and more considered view. Perhaps, as with anything, a little of both is best for optimum results.
ReplyDeleteI think the opinions from you guys are very interesting. Like protia has said, social media can be quite negative and I think we do like in a very 'filtered' world if you will. But something to consider is that web 2.0 isn't for everyone! Myself included in this, I'm not on social media that often as I have chosen to come away from it due to the negativity that can be found surrounding social media and have felt much better for doing so, however, it has meant I have missed out on a lot of things as everything seems to happen on social media. Something to consider maybe, is web 2.0 for everyone? and are there other ways to connect and network without social media now...
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