Reflective Learning: Learning from Service, Critical Thinking, and Cultural Diversity

Running head: REFLECTIVE LEARNING
Reflective Learning
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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REFLECTIVE LEARNING
Introduction:
Reflection is a great way of learning because it helps students and professionals to learn
by reflecting on their own experiences. Experts involved in acquiring knowledge and
implementing them get the opportunity to contemplate on their own performances. Reflection
enables the students, especially the ones pursuing professional courses, involved in group
activities to ponder on their own performances as well as performances of their team. They are
able to point out their strengths and weaknesses which they as their groups showcased during the
learning activity. The projects often require students conduct thorough research to gather body of
data sufficient to present the projects assigned. These researches provide the students with
knowledge beyond the scope of their courses and enrich their learning. The report would explore
the learning derived from the research I conducted on the topic’ financial planning’. It would
explore my personal experiences and learning I derived while conducting the research.
Learning from the service:
Problem solving skills:
I learnt several things about myself while undertaking the project titled ‘Economic &
Finance Engagement Project’. The learning session I attended was a group activity in which I
participated with a group. I learnt to put forward my opinion supported by logical arguments and
how to handle contradictions. I can reflect that I learnt to handle challenging situations when the
audience question the validity of the information that is being served to them. For example, our
opinion describing NDIS as a function of demand was refuted which required my group
members and me to provide substantial evidence to support our claim. Failure to support our
claim would have put the accuracy entire report at stake. I can reflect on the entire incidence and

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REFLECTIVE LEARNING
point out that I learnt to remain motivated during handling contradictions and interrogations from
the audience.
The second learning of mine from the experience was to view challenges as opportunities
to improve performances. I can point this out from the fact is applicable not only for me but my
team members as well. I can reflect that after facing contradictions the entire team including me
worked upon the report all over again. We indulged in critical thinking, group activities and
corrected areas which were wrong. I can point out that I overcame my initial reluctance and
started solving the problem. The third third I learnt form the experience was that, problems have
to deal with strategically and not shied away from. I analysed that challenges help us in
recognising our weaknesses and rectify them. I can point out that the interrogations regarding the
validity of the information regarding NDIS showed that there was serious lack of knowledge. I
rectified that mistake made in the report by reviewing the basics of theories in economics.
Presentation skills:
I can reflect on presentation of report in which my team and I participated pointing out
that I learnt several important lessons. I learnt that coherence is an important criterion required to
be maintained while preparing presentations. I learnt that clear and substantial data renders
strength to presentations, thus making them more authentic.
I can reflect on the second learning which I learnt while participating in the presentation
was that logical flow is an important part of a quality presentation. I can also point out that I
made error while preparing the presentation and made it lengthy. I learnt from this mistake that
maintaining proper timing and length, as far as content is concerned are two very important
aspects of rendering superior quality to presentations.