Assessment title: Reflective Log
Assessment weighting: 100%
Assessment word limit: 4000 words for total (1000 words in 1 block)
Assessment Guidelines: (*** Important)
– At least 9-10 references in each block, total at least 36-40 references.
– Structure each reflection using one of the reflective models as above
– Use a high level of scholarly language and style (avoid colloquialisms and journalistic style)
– Support your ideas and points with high quality academic sources (research, theory) – from professional practice literature and relevant specialist literature.
– Avoid descriptive storytelling (first this happened then this and then that)
– Use a critical evaluative style – undertake self-analysis; analyze your learnings in relation to what they mean for your own professional development/ future practice – More ‘so what’ than just ‘what’!
– Remember you are still building an argument, as in all academic writing-this time towards a detailed action plan for your future professional development/ practice Assessment topic:
Write 1000 words reflective Log in each Block based on the Block content below. Use 1 reflective models and 1 theme write the log
Block 1
• Introduction to module and professional practice; Reflective practice
• Assessment; Practitioner model Flawed thinking patterns; Communication bias, cognitive distortions and CPD
Block 2
• Ethics in practice and Scientist
• Diversity and Inclusion; Scientist Practitioner model; Evidence Based Practice Block 3
• Professional Practice Case Study
Block 4
• The Role of Play and Arts in Professional Practice; Team Building; Coaching (GROW model)
• Practice Informing Policy Making; Psychological Safety and leadership development; Resilience and self-care for Practitioners; Assessment Q&A; Module reflection
Reflections need to be from your consolidated learning from each block – i.e. your own exploration and wider reading as well as taught sessions (i.e. not only taught sessions)
Example themes you may choose to reflect on:
• Models of reflective practice and their application to personal experience.
• Ethics in practice
• Scientist practitioner model and implications for evidence-based practice • Values in action
• The cycle of professional practice and all its elements / skills required for successful professional practice and/or service to clients
• Building working relationships with clients/contracting (professional cycle step 1)
• Needs analysis/assessing needs of clients (professional cycle step 2)
• The Role of Play in Professional Practice
• Listening and developing the client relationship
• Application and incorporation of emerging new therapies and research (e.g. ecotherapy)
• Psychologists informing policy making
• The importance of self-care and resilience for practitioners
It is advised that you select no more than 2 themes per block to reflect upon, in order that you have sucicient word count for thorough critical analysis of your themes in relation to your personal career/development path.
Reflection Model:
1. Terry Burton’s Cue Question
2. Rolfe’s Cue Question
3. Kolb’s Experiential Learning
4. Gibbs Deflective Circle
5. Atkins and Murphy Model 6. Appreciative Inquiry Model Assessment Aims:
This assessment aims to help you develop reflective thinking and writing skills (skills that are essential both for your learning and development and for those working in all areas of Psychology).
You should provide a 4000-word reflective account of your development in Psychology focusing on the skills that you have learnt throughout this 30-credit module. In your reflective log you will provide a brief description of the topics, ‘themes’ or areas you are reflecting on and then use your reflective thinking and writing skills to analyze and reflect on your learning and skill development.
All reflections should be written using an appropriate model, for example the Gibbs (1988) cycle of reflection (however the model use you chose is up to you and you may find some models more appropriate to you than others). Relevant research evidence should also be incorporated where appropriate. As a result of your reflections, you should identify clear action points for further personal development in your chosen field of psychology.
Assessment Rubrics:
1. Evidence of originality, independent reflection and sophistication of thought; personal initiative expressed with clarity and stylistic accomplishment, using an appropriate register of language. *** Clear evidence of originality and independence. Excellent structure using accomplished scholarly techniques.
2. Mastery of a range of cognate historical, theoretical and/or empirical material. *** ERectively utilizes a wide range of relevant resource material.
3. Critical reflection/ analysis at a sophisticated level with a high degree of explanatory power rather than descriptive detail. *** Sophisticated and original evaluation and analysis of a range of evidence.
4. Intellectual rigor and coherence in constructing, sustaining and testing arguments and/or hypotheses. Integration/ application (identification) of the models, issues and concepts within the debate/ discussion. *** A focused and rigorous argument/ discussion, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge understanding and application of relevant models theories and concepts.