Some situations push us to think that it could be handled in a better way, but we often end up repeating the same mistake. It is when Schon reflective model helps, especially for professionals who face unexpected situations. Using this reflection helps practitioners turn their challenging moments into valuable learning. Whether you are a teacher or student, uncertain experiences are normal, and you can improve them through Schon's reflection.
However, for this, they must know how to use this approach effectively. Here is a detailed guide with Schon reflective model example to help you understand the application of this reflective cycle.
What is Schon reflective Model?
Schon reflective model focuses on continuous professional improvements in an individual through its two key concepts: reflection in action and reflection on action. It is a widely recognised model that emphasises learning through analysing professional experiences.
This learning framework enables professionals to enhance their proficiencies by reflecting on their activities. It was created by Donald Schon with the motive of bridging the wide gap between conceptual knowledge and real-world application. Schon designed this model to help professionals in the education, social work and healthcare sectors. Schon's reflective model has prominent features that are as follows:
Key Features of Schon Reflection
The model stresses how people can learn through their experiences and fosters continuous learning. Donald Schon reflective model helps individuals in identifying the opportunities for critical improvements in uncertain and intricate circumstances through the following features:
Inferred knowledge - It refers to the comprehension that professionals build from any past situation. This model focuses on concluding based on previous observations, instead of relying on theories or textbook knowledge. Hence, it helps students in making informed decisions with a clear analysis of past situations.
Interaction with the Situation - This feature ensures that professionals respond thoughtfully in the event of any occurrence. It is often referred to as “reflection-in-action,” which involves observing what may come next and adapting a new approach accordingly. It helps in active thinking and using the right approach to manage unexpected challenges.
Continuous Learning - This aspect of Donald Schon reflective practice model highlights the significance of constant reflection to enhance future performance. It suggests individuals should evaluate key factors that work in their favour and how these could be improved. It encourages deeper understanding, critical self-reflection, and builds problem-solving skills.
Problem Framing - This process helps users identify the actual issue and find solutions. According to Schon reflective model, the solution of any problem is highly influenced by how an individual perceives that issue. However, by analysing the complete situation carefully and asking the correct questions, people can help solve the challenges strategically.
Three Stages of Schon Reflective Model with Examples
Now that you have understood the key components of Schön reflective model 1991, let's discuss its stages. Here is a detailed explanation of its three phases and an example for each to understand how the model actually works.
Knowing-in-Action
This phase of Schon reflective cycle shows the automatic, inferred skills and knowledge of professionals that they use to perform a task without pre-planning. It allows them to think immediately and take proficient action according to their experience. This stage forms the basis for the second step, which is reflection-in-action. Here is an example of this approach:
Example - When a salesperson is interacting with a potential buyer, they identify unspoken purchasing signals. He quickly adjusts the pitch in the present time.
Reflection-in-Action
This stage of Schon reflection in action focuses on the ideation of thinking on one's feet, which means acting immediately by analysing things during the event. It includes re-evaluation of actions instantly, using tacit skills to solve challenges and adjust behaviour in real-time for maximising outcomes. Here is an example that will help you understand this stage.
Example - When a nurse notices that a patient is looking anxious, they immediately pause to reassess the treatment approach by using a calming tone to keep the patient relaxed.
Reflection-On-Action
Reflection on action requires professionals to analyse an impactful event after its occurrence to examine performance and understand consequences. In addition, after critical self-reflection, they need to create an improvement plan to tackle similar situations in a better way in the future. This deliberate procedure often includes discussing these observations with peers and reviewing actions.
Example - When a chef evaluates all dishes in the menu to find which item caused delays in service during busy hours, they can improve prep work and station organisation for next time.
Comparison of Schon Reflection with John Reflective Model
Several models of reflection enable individuals to analyse their actions and take corrective measures to enhance future outcomes. However, for precision, below is a table that differentiates Schon's reflection from Johns model of reflection. It helps you to find the right reflective approach for yourself.
Features
Schon Reflection
John's Reflection Model
Definition
This framework focuses on learning through prior events by analysing situations during the occurrence of the event.
It is invented for students in the healthcare and nursing sector, allowing them to evaluate their experiences critically for professional advancement.
Stages
Reflection in knowing, Schon reflection in action and reflection on action
Looking inward and looking outward.
Objective
It aims to allow users to think immediately and change their actions for effective and valuable results.
It helps professionals in examining daily experiences to bridge the wide gap between conceptual knowledge and practice.
Best Used For
It is highly suitable for rapid decision-making in stressful and high-pressure environments. Also, it provides the best assignment help when students need to reflect on their experiences.
This model is best for in-depth evaluation of a crucial event and journal writing.
Flexibility
It has high flexibility because the user can make changes during the event.
The flexibility of John's reflective model is low because it requires professionals to follow a systematic sequence to analyse the event.
How to Apply Schon Reflective Model?
Understanding the effective application of Schon's reflection is crucial for students because they are required to create projects based on self-analysis. Instead of asking others to do my assignment, they can follow the steps below to complete their work and evaluate areas for improvement.
Problem Identification - The process starts with the identification of a challenging, rigid or unexpected situation that hampers your regular work. Define this context for comprehending what actually needs to be addressed.
Reflection - in - Action - For instant analysis, you need to evaluate your actions and ask if the current approach is working. Find the factors that are influencing positive outcomes for the ongoing event and quickly adjust your method to enhance the previous result.
Reflection - on - Action - For evaluating the situation after the event starts by critically analysing all decisions that you made during that particular experience. Now ask what went poorly and well in the entire situation. Also, consider how your feelings affected the scenario and the new information that you gained when performing the task.
Revaluation - Gather all insights and work on understanding the complete situation. After this, think about how you would react in this situation to achieve better outcomes.
Create Reflective Learning Strategies - Lastly, document the complete experience to strengthen your learnings from Schon reflective practice model. You can also create a realistic plan to improve your actions for the future.
What are the Advantages and Limitations ofSchon Reflection?
The Schon reflective model 1983 stresses two key features, which are beneficial for assessing ongoing events. However, it has a few drawbacks when it comes to timing, as beginners may feel the process overwhelming. You can read the limitations and advantages of Schon's reflective model in the table below:
Advantages
Limitations
It allows students to think instantly and adjust to an ongoing situation instead of waiting for the completion of the event.
Schon reflective model is highly subjective because it relies on internal and personal interpretations, which lead to biased decisions.
It reduces dependence on technical rationality and encourages the utilisation of experience-based skills to solve practical challenges.
It doesn't have a systematic structure, creating confusion for beginners.
Unlike Gibbs reflective cycle, it is a flexible model that students of different professions can use.
Critical reflection demands plenty of time. Due to this, professionals often fail to reflect effectively.
Schon's Reflection encourages professionals to reframe the challenge, which fosters creative solutions for complicated issues.
The reflection - in -action requires strong expertise to analyse the ongoing situation, making it challenging for professionals.
It promotes continuous learning and allows professionals to enhance their skills.
It overemphasises intuitive knowledge, which undervalues theoretical knowledge.
Expert Tips to Apply Schon Reflection
Students who are thinking of using Schon reflective model references to reflect on their experiences should consider the following tips when using it.
Pause Before Act - when you face an unexpected situation, instead of continuing your actions blindly, you should pause to consider what went wrong. It helps in finding instant and creative solutions.
Use Internal Thoughts - When observing these issues, you should ask a few questions, including " Is this even working or what is actually happening and How can I change this immediately.
Conduct After Event Analysis - It is a key step of Schon 1991 reflective model, which requires you to analyse the complete situation after occurrence. After detailed analysis, connect the problem with an effective theory to application it in better ways for improving professional practice.
Frame the Issue - Define the problem by naming it and write the solutions for your approach to solve it. This approach is crucial when your first approach fails. Additionally, if you are writing a reflection for a university assignment, then make sure to check it on free plagiarism checkertools to avoid penalties.
Seek Feedback - Lastly, remember to seek guidance from your peers or mentors. It helps in gaining diverse perspectives because there are chances of biased reviews when you personally reflect on a problem.
Conclusion
Summing up, the Schon reflective model helps in transforming everyday events into impactful learning opportunities. It helps develop the key skills of critical thinking by allowing professionals to adapt in impromptu situations. Moreover, they gain deep insights into their strengths, weaknesses and decisions through analysing past events. However, for beginners, it can be difficult to use this approach when reflecting on their experiences.
If you are struggling with this, then Instant Assignment Help is just a click away. We offer immediate assistance to students seeking professionals to write their reflections.
What is Schön’s Reflective Model?It is a professional reflective framework that focuses on improving individuals’ practice through analysing their experiences, especially by differentiating between thinking after and during a specific event.
Who Developed Schön’s Reflective Model?The Schön’s Model of reflection was introduced by Donald Schön in 1983 through his book “The Reflective Practitioner” to help professionals in the healthcare, educational and social work sectors reflect critically on their actions by evaluating them in real time.
What are reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action?Reflection in action is a real-time process, enabling professionals to think immediately about an event on the spot to make changes for enhanced results. On the other hand, reflection on action usually occurs after completion of an event, which involves deep analysis and learning from experience for a similar event if it occurs in future.
What is an example of Schön's reflective model in practice?A real-world example of this model is when a tutor notices low engagement of children during lessons and changes the teaching approach immediately. It shows the stage of reflection-in-action to enhance the results during the event.
Why is Schön's Reflective Model Important in Professional Learning?Schön's model of reflection is crucial in professional learning, as it helps in transforming experiences into valuable knowledge through its core stages, including “reflection-in-action” and “reflection-on-action”. This organised approach helps in connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
How is Schön's Reflective Model different from Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle?There is a major difference between the two models because Schön's reflective cycle focuses on instant and real-time reflection to improve professionals’ skills. The Gibbs reflection model has a systematic process to evaluate actions and decisions made in past situations to improve future actions.
Latest Blog
By High Quality Assignment experts on university, academics, admission, assignment, writing skills & tips, and many more
