The Relationship Between Reflection and Learning

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INTRODUCTION This report investigates the relationship between reflection and learning, including Metacognition in university studies. In academic purposes, reflection is a form of mental processing that we use to gain a better understanding of complicated or unstructured ideas in order to achieve an outcome of learning. It involves thinking about what we already know and how that knowledge affects new situations, and generating new knowledge which leads to conceptual change and action. Reflective thinking encompassing cognitive and metacognitive processes such as analysing, reasoning, remembering and rationalising. (Strampel and Oliver, 2007) Academic reflection is most likely written and intended to be assessed, which may or may not influence the quality or the writing. It is ‘likely to involve a conscious and stated purpose for the reflection, with an outcome specified in terms of learning, action or clarification’ (Moon 1999a) Metacognitive knowledge refers to acquired knowledge about cognitive processes, knowledge that can be used to control cognitive processes. (Flavell,1979). Ability in reflection implies ability in metacognition, where the learner is able to consider his or her learning behaviour. Metacognitive ability is associated with effective learning. DISCUSSION Reflection Reflection usually begins with an “awareness” stage, which can occur when learners are presented with and stimulated by new information, often arising from, or in the form of an experience. At this stage, most students will also go through a “self-awareness” stage, which includes analysing feelings and examining how the situation and the individual have had a reciprocal effect on each other, and becoming aware of their view of the world (Brigden, 2004; Schunk, 1991; Moon, 1999). Reflection and Learning Reflective learning activities set a good environment for
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