Reflection, Why Bother

Fortune, Maria J. (2018) Reflection, Why Bother. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This thesis aims to answer the question, ‘reflection why bother’ the author is involved in adult healthcare education, and teaches reflection as an essential part of one the author’s modules. The author wanted to see if the students continue to use reflection outside of their classes and if they saw any benefits to the use of reflection.

Before looking at the literature review, the author wanted to consider a very important topic of autonomy and student engagement and the role that reflection plays in encouraging the development of the engaged learner. In this area the author also considers the difference between the tutor who encourages the learner to become an active participant in their learning compared to the typical view of a tutor viewed as the expert there to impart knowledge.

Following a comprehensive literature review, where the author identified several themes that highlighted just how important reflection is and should be, the author decided to use a qualitative approach to discover if the themes identified in the literature review were also identified in the authors own research. Using a questionnaire and a follow up interview the author identified several similar themes to the literature review, including reflection as transformation, reflection as dialogue and a theme not identified in the literature review, reflection as personal development.

The research done by the author also brought up a students memories of abuse she witnessed as a young adult on work experience, through reflection the student learned to speak the truth even if her voice was shaking, this wasn’t the authors intention but it does show how powerful reflection can be. Also discussed in the results is the use of reflection in a particular bad period of time experienced by another participant.

Although the sample size was admittedly small, just fifteen participants the author believes that the information gathered is representative of those students who utilise reflection in their classroom and in their everyday lives.

The title of this dissertation ‘reflection, why bother’ was supposed to be the title of one of the authors classes in her healthcare support module. Reflection is an important component of personal and professional development across many disciplines and the author wanted to highlight that healthcare professionals needed the tool of reflection where ever they are in their careers. When we reflect we not only challenge our personal assumptions, we ask ourselves why we do things we way we do. Within reflection we also identify areas where we feel we are lacking and why we set ourselves the standards we do.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	L Education > LC Special aspects / Types of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > Teaching Personnel R Medicine > Healthcare Industry
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	03 Nov 2018 11:04
Last Modified:	03 Nov 2018 11:04
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3409

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