Reflective Learning and Feedbacks in Higher Education

ORIENTATION FOR
SUCCESS IN
HIGHER
EDUCATION
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Reflective approach to learning...................................................................................................3
Nature of feedbacks and application of reflective model............................................................4
Role of feedforward and feedback in improving assessment......................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION
Reflective learning is defined as the ongoing learning cycle in which individuals used to
think, evaluate, challenge and improve their own actions or experiences (Arms Almengor, 2018).
In reflective learning individual’s actions are assessed so that necessary improvements can be
identified and made. Reflective practices help individuals to identify their strengths and
improvements so that they can boost their outcomes and productivity in all kinds of assessments
(Ni'ma, Sumardi and Tarjana, 2019).
The aim of this essay is to understand the concept and significance of reflective learning in
improving professional expertise. It will also discuss reflective model such as Gibbs and its
application in enhancing learning over feedbacks or feedforwards. The essay will discuss the
contribution of reflective learning and feedbacks in bringing improvements in formative as well
as summative assessments.
MAIN BODY
Reflective approach to learning
Reflection approach is known as the learning cycle through and from the experiences of an
individual by developing new insights of practice and self (Stodter, Cope and Townsend, 2021).
In reflective learning awareness and knowledge is increased by challenging assumptions of self
through daily practice and evaluation of response of practitioners for practising the situation. One
of the best advantage of reflective learning is that with reflective practices one develop
understanding of own learning barriers, limitations and expertise. In addition to this self-
evaluation of own practices also help to develop critical thinking, decision making and problem
solving skills (Chen, Hwang and Chang, 2019). When learners question and analyse their own
learning progress and method then it leads to greater innovation and engagement in the learning
process and thus leading to more productive outcomes. There are various models of reflection
which act as effective tool for reflecting upon experiences and learning. One of such model is
Gibbs model in which reflective learning is divided into 6 stages ranging from description to
action plan.
Description: In first phase of reflective learning, students must outline their experience taking
into factual description of event or incident.
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